King County Council supports “Blue Alert” for law enforcement

At its Monday, February 27 meeting, the Metropolitan King County Council gave its unanimous support in urging the Washington State Legislature to act on a bill creating a “Blue Alert” system for law enforcement officers.

The motion urges the Legislation to adopt HB 1820 and establish a “Blue Alert” notification system. Modeled after AMBER alerts, Blue alerts would use media resources to inform the public about crucial information regarding suspects who have seriously injured or killed law enforcement officers. If adopted, Washington would join seven other states that have created their own law enforcement notification system.

In 2010, the Council passed a motion urging the Legislature to pass the Lakewood Law Enforcement Memorial Act which placed on the ballot a constitutional amendment giving judges the ability to deny bail to those facing a life sentence. The constitutional amendment passed with 85 percent of the vote.