By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Gov. John Kasich signed into law a bill creating a new statewide-alert system to track down individuals who seriously harm or kill police officers.
Ohio joins more than a dozen other states with the so-called Blue Alert systems, similar to Amber Alerts, which rapidly disseminate information about missing or abducted children.
Provisions for the new system were included in Senate Bill 258, which cleared the Ohio House and Senate unanimously. Kasich signed it Friday at a private ceremony Friday. The law takes effect in early June.
The system will be activated whenever a local, state or federal law-enforcement officer is injured or killed or if an officer is reported missing, with information about alleged perpetrators widely broadcast to gain public assistance in tracking them down.
It was co-sponsored by state Sen. Tom Patton, a Republican from the Cleveland area whose son, a Cleveland Heights police officer, died in the line of duty.
“We hope that Ohio will never have to use a Blue Alert, but should that day come, this system will help reduce the time a suspect who has killed or wounded a law-enforcement officer may be at large,” Attorney General Mike DeWine, who supported the legislation, said in a released statement. “This law is vital for the safety of law enforcement and the protection of Ohio residents.”
Comments
you wouldn't think this would be necessary--sad times.
After Kasich wanted to take away their pension rights he finally does something good for them. Anyone who injures a police officer should be locked up for one hell of a long time. I can't even imagine trying to hurt someone who is protecting you. God bless our police officers and keep them safe in all their travels.
Why shouldn't we do this for all citizens?
Call it the Citizens Alert.
Losersneverwin your comment just made me understand your handle. You are a loser
God bless and protect our Police. People who don't like the police are the first to call for help.
Loser
Are you serious? smh at such stupidity.
I know this is wrong posting here but trying to get the word out that Rik Blake on 404 Lora Ave. the Vet from California,who bought a house on Northside is in desperate need of Volunteers starting Monday March 10th through March 19th for the final push on drywall and painting, Help a Vet !!
As the media and politicians gloss over the complications once again.
There are good cops and bad/corrupt cops (good politicians and corrupt politicians, good judges and corrupt judges, good executives and corrupt executives...).
Unfortunately, there is no perfect mechanism to sort us all out and determine who is innocent and who is guilty, let alone just how innocent or guilty, but, in every case, we have to make a conscientious attempt to do so.