Lawmakers consider nationwide 'Blue Alert' bill
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SEATTLE -- A special alert meant to catch criminals who target law enforcement in Washington state could soon go nationwide.
Just two months after Washington state overwhelmingly passed its own version, a nationwide Blue Alert bill backed by U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert passed the U.S. House on Tuesday on a 394-to-1 vote.
Washington State Trooper Tony Radulescu was gunned down in February after an early morning traffic stop. His killer, Joshua Blake, initially got away, but was found several hours later when he shot and killed himself.
The case brought to light what many lawmakers thought was a bigger problem: The lack of a coordinated alert system, similar to an Amber Alert, after an officer is shot.
"It wouldn't have helped Tony," said Radulescu's girlfriend, Gina Miller. "It wouldn't have saved him, but it would have sped up the response time, and we could have had the public looking as well. Putting that information on the reader board signs is really important."
Washington Governor Christine Gregoire recently signed the Blue Alert bill into law. The alert will use radio, television and highway signs to ask for the public's help in locating those who kill or severely injure a law enforcement agent.
"And we've seen that happen in our own community, where a police officer may have been wounded or killed in the line of duty. And as the person is fleeing they injure someone else," said Reichert.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, a Nationwide Blue Alert would cost roughly $36 million over five years, beginning in 2013.
Some lawmakers, including Reichert, feel you can't put a price tag on information that could protect the public.
"I think it's important for us to get that information out to the public as soon as possible to apprehend this person, because the community is now at risk," Reichert said.
The national blue alert would also give the Department of Justice roughly $10 million a year to help other states cover the costs.
Just two months after Washington state overwhelmingly passed its own version, a nationwide Blue Alert bill backed by U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert passed the U.S. House on Tuesday on a 394-to-1 vote.
Washington State Trooper Tony Radulescu was gunned down in February after an early morning traffic stop. His killer, Joshua Blake, initially got away, but was found several hours later when he shot and killed himself.
The case brought to light what many lawmakers thought was a bigger problem: The lack of a coordinated alert system, similar to an Amber Alert, after an officer is shot.
"It wouldn't have helped Tony," said Radulescu's girlfriend, Gina Miller. "It wouldn't have saved him, but it would have sped up the response time, and we could have had the public looking as well. Putting that information on the reader board signs is really important."
Washington Governor Christine Gregoire recently signed the Blue Alert bill into law. The alert will use radio, television and highway signs to ask for the public's help in locating those who kill or severely injure a law enforcement agent.
"And we've seen that happen in our own community, where a police officer may have been wounded or killed in the line of duty. And as the person is fleeing they injure someone else," said Reichert.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, a Nationwide Blue Alert would cost roughly $36 million over five years, beginning in 2013.
Some lawmakers, including Reichert, feel you can't put a price tag on information that could protect the public.
"I think it's important for us to get that information out to the public as soon as possible to apprehend this person, because the community is now at risk," Reichert said.
The national blue alert would also give the Department of Justice roughly $10 million a year to help other states cover the costs.
