Md. Senator Leading Push For National 'Blue Alert' To Protect Police
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Protecting the police officers who protect us. A Maryland senator is leading a push to crack down on criminals who target police.
A nationwide Blue Alert could track bad guys, like the man who gunned down two NYPD officers.
Christie Ileto explains why it's so important.
Right now, there's no national alert system that immediately provides information about violent criminals who injure or kill police officers. And for suspects on the run, advocates believe this could help catch them.
Brooklyn native Ismaaiyl Brinsley made his threats online. Hours later, following through, he assassinated two New York city police officers.
"He had made notification via social media about taking a law enforcement officer's life. And that information actually could have potentially saved those officers' lives had it been provided to them in a little bit more timely fashion," said Vince Canales, Maryland Fraternal Order of Police.
Advocates believe having a national Blue Alert system could have helped. Like an Amber Alert, it quickly sends out information about violent criminals who make an imminent threat, injure or kill a cop.
Senator Ben Cardin leads the charge in Washington to get the system Maryland already has in place across the country.
Maryland is one of more than 20 states that has the Blue Alert system. It was signed into law five years ago.
The executive order came after off-duty state trooper Wesley Brown was ambushed outside a Prince George's County restaurant.
"The trooper did not have time to even pull his weapon from his holster," an officer said.
His murder, like many others, is one advocates are hoping this new alert system can help protect.
This bill has failed in Congress before, but Senator Ben Cardin believes this time it will pass.
Right now, 11 other states are considering using the Blue Alert system.
