News

Actions

Breaking down emergency alerts

Posted at 6:56 PM, Dec 12, 2019
and last updated 2019-12-12 19:56:02-05

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — As law enforcement began its search for Henderson, millions of mobile phone users were issued a blue alert on their cellular device.

The blue alert was launched in 2008 under former Texas Governor Rick Perry.

It was created to let residents across the state know when an offender who killed or seriously injured a federal, state or local law enforcement officer in the line of duty, is on the run.

“The blue alert is going to be put out to most anybody not just law enforcement but also to civilians.” said Texas Department of Public Safety Sargent, Nathan Bradley.

“Along the lines of an amber alert, silver alert, which we now have established. The blue alert will alert those is the general public and law enforcement of someone who may be in danger.”

Most people have heard about amber or silver alerts but there are also a few others:

There's the endangered persons alert. This is sent when a person other than a child has been abducted.

The camo alert notifies the public of a missing current or former member of the united states armed forces or the national guard.

The clear alert is issued to assist law enforcement in locating and rescuing missing, kidnapped or abducted adults who may be in immediate danger.

Texas is one of the 34 states that currently has the DPS alert system in place.