Riverside County Launches New Alert System For Law Enforcement

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Dept. unveiled a new alert system designed to keep the public informed when an officer or deputy has encountered a life-threatening situation.

The Blue Alert will issued to country residents who sign up when a law enforcement officer has been killed, suffers serious bodily injury, or is assaulted with a deadly weapon, and police are searching for a suspect who 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,” said Lt. Kevin Vesat.

The Blue Alert system was enacted into California law with the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 839. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) 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.

To sign up for the alerts, click here.