NEW YORK, NY – The tide of rising violence in America is not just something the public needs to worry about. Crimes against police officers are also on the rise, and New York has announced a new “Blue Alert” system in an effort to curb violence against cops.
In an effort to combat violent crime against police officers, Governor Hochul signed legislation today. A Blue Alert system will be established under legislation (S.772A/A.6318B) to assist in identifying, tracking down, and capturing individuals suspected of killing or seriously wounding a police officer. As a result of this new law, information on violent crimes against law enforcement will be more widely disseminated to the public, improving public safety and catching perpetrators.
“We are taking a comprehensive approach towards protecting the individuals who serve and protect us, taking every measure we can to crack down on violent crime against law enforcement,” Governor Hochul said. “New York is wholly committed to safeguarding our brothers and sisters in law enforcement and this new law will be crucial to creating safer communities and apprehending those who commit violent crimes against police officers.”
In accordance with legislation (S.772A/A.6318B), a Blue Alert system is established to assist law enforcement agencies in identifying, locating, and arresting individuals suspected of killing or seriously wounding police officers. Law enforcement agencies, the media, and the public are notified by a Blue Alert of suspects who have killed, seriously injured, or pose an imminent threat to police. The creation of a Blue Alert system will assist the police in catching perpetrators who are a threat to public safety by establishing a more efficient way to disseminate information about crimes committed against police officers.
New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli said, “Law enforcement is known for being a dangerous profession. However, officers chose this profession because they believe in public service, helping others and putting the public ahead of themselves. Each call to service brings its own set of challenges and officers never know for certain what they will face. By establishing a Blue Alert system, we can better protect law enforcement from individuals who are looking to inflict harm on officers that have committed their lives to protecting others.”
Assemblymember Steve Stern said, “I was proud to sponsor and pass this critically important legislation in support of the brave men and women of law enforcement, who sacrifice so much to keep all of us safe. The Blue Alert System has a proven track record of success nationwide and its implementation is long overdue in New York State. This legislation will protect our community, protect our officers, and save lives. I thank my colleagues in the Legislature for unanimously supporting this legislative initiative and Governor Hochul for signing it into law.”