Alabama beachgoers, here’s why your phones could buzz more — and how it could help save a life

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. ( WKRG ) — U.S. Senator Katie Britt of Alabama introduced Lulu’s Law, a new law that would send out an emergency alert if a shark has attacked someone or if beach conditions make a shark attack more likely.

The law is named in honor of 15-year-old Lulu Gribbin who was bitten by a shark in June while on a family trip to Seacrest Beach in Florida.

Gribbin is still recovering from the nearly fatal injuries she suffered during the attack.

Only a few miles away, another woman was also bitten by a shark, just 90 minutes before Gribbin was.

According to the news release, Gribbin’s parents believe that with a better alert system, their daughter’s attack could’ve been prevented.

If Lulu’s Law is passed, that would mean alerts would be sent for shark attacks locally on Alabama’s Gulf Coast beaches.

“People are glued to their phones, you know,” Patti Norris, a beachgoer said. “So, yeah, definitely if it came out on the phone, people would see it.”

Similar to an Amber Alert, Alabama emergency responders would be able to quickly send a warning via cell phone notifications when a shark has attacked someone or when the water is deemed unsafe.

“It’ll get the news out quicker,” Norris said. “I think it would be a good thing.”

Orange Beach Safety Division Chief Brett Lesinger said he thinks the alerts would be a great safety tool for beachgoers.

“We’re for anything that would increase safety, but you definitely don’t want to cause a frenzy on the beach,” Lesinger said. “It would be like saying bomb on a plane. Saying shark on the beach is not a good thing.”

If the proposed law is passed, alerts would be sent out through the Baldwin County EMA mass notification system.

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