What is a Blue Alert and why does North Carolina have it?

According to the Center, North Carolina is one of 27 states with Blue Alerts.Photo byCanva

A Blue Alert is activated when a law enforcement officer is killed or seriously injured, and the suspect poses a threat to the public or other officers.

The head of the law enforcement agency requests the alert, which is then disseminated by the Center for Missing Persons through television, radio, and collaboration with emergency management and transportation departments.

Historical Context and Usage

• First Use in NC: According to the N.C. Center for Missing Persons archives, Saturday’s message was the first Blue Alert ever sent in North Carolina.
• National Origin: The system was established nationally in May 2015 after two NYPD detectives were killed, and implemented in North Carolina in 2016 under Governor Pat McCrory.
• Objective: To quickly apprehend dangerous suspects and ensure public safety, similar to AMBER and Silver Alerts.

Public Impact: North Carolina joined 26 other states in using the Blue Alert system, which aims to swiftly and safely locate suspects with public assistance.