Area residents can sign up to receive Blue Alerts

A Blue Alert is issued to the public when a law enforcement officer has been killed, suffers serious bodily injury, or is assaulted with a deadly weapon, and the suspect has fled the scene of the offense.

It is intended to not only alert the public about dangerous or violent suspects who pose a threat to public safety but also to solicit the public’s assistance in the apprehension of the suspect.

The Blue Alert system was enacted into California law with the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 839, which adds Section 8594.5 to the Government Code.

The California Highway Patrol administers the Blue Alert system and is responsible for issuing Blue Alerts when all of the following conditions are met:

• A law enforcement officer has been killed, suffers serious bodily injury, or is assaulted with a deadly weapon, and the suspect has fled the scene of the offense.

• A law enforcement agency investigating the offense has determined that the suspect poses an imminent threat to the public or other law enforcement personnel.

• A detailed description of the suspect’s vehicle or license plate is available for broadcast.

Alerting the public may help avert further harm or speed the apprehension of the suspect. On September 28, Senator George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) announced that Senate Bill 839, known as the Blue Alert was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“A violent act against a police officer is a violent act against society, and that’s why I believe a Blue Alert system is necessary,” he said.

The plan will use existing Amber Alert technology, allowing officials to send out a Blue Alert with a license plate number or a vehicle description so the public can help authorities locate the shooter.

Blue Alert went into effect on Jan. 1.

The color blue is symbolic of peace. By displaying your blue lights, a driver will be sending a dual message that he or she supports America’s peacekeepers.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department has a Blue Light Ceremony each year in December.

Go to http://www.riversidesheriff.org/blueAlert/default.asp to sign up to receive email or text message notification when Blue Alerts are issued.

If anyone has information about a Blue Alert suspect, call 9-1-1 immediately.

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