What was that Florida Blue Alert on my phone? Four things to know about the alerts
Many Florida residents received a Florida Blue Alert on their phones on Tuesday night, but what is it and why is it issued?
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement was asking for the public's help to find Gregory Ryan Miedema after a Taylor County deputy was shot Tuesday night.
A spokesperson with the Florida Highway Patrol said the deputy was shot multiple times and taken to the hospital via helicopter with life-threatening injuries, according to WFTX.
Wednesday morning, the Blue Alert was canceled after Miedema was confirmed dead, according to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
Leigh Acres address: Man with Lee County ties wanted after Taylor County sheriff's deputy shot multiple times
Breaking news: Reports say suspect dead; FDLE deactivates Blue Alert after shooting of Taylor County deputy
Previously: Notification sounds off on Florida phones after Nassau deputy shot
Anyone with information should call 911, the FDLE or the Taylor County Sheriff's Office at 850-584-2429.
What is a Blue Alert?
A Florida Blue Alert is designed to notify the public of critical information when a law enforcement officer is killed, suffered serious bodily injury, or is missing while in the line of duty and the suspect, who is considered to pose an imminent threat to the public, is still at large.
When is a Blue Alert issued?
All of the following criteria must be met for a Blue Alert to be issued:
A sworn law enforcement officer is killed, sustains life threatening injuries or the officer is missing in the line of duty under circumstances warranting concern for the law enforcement officer’s safety.
A suspect poses an imminent threat to public safety and law enforcement personnel.
A description of the offender or vehicle is available for statewide broadcast to the public and law enforcement 911 centers.
How can you sign up to receive a Blue Alert?
Sign up to receive Florida Blue Alerts directly to your email. You can be notified as soon as an alert is issued. An alert flyer will be sent directly to your computer, smart phone or other email-capable device. You can modify your existing registration or cancel at any time.
A Blue Alert is disseminated to the public through the Emergency Alert System by broadcasting the alert on television, radio and message signs located along the state’s highways.
When was the Florida Blue Alert system established?
In 2011, the Florida Legislature established the Florida Blue Alert Plan. The Blue Alert utilizes the same technologies employed by the AMBER Alert Plan to notify the public.
Under the Blue Alert Plan, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Department of Transportation broadcasts important information about the offender when this information would help avert further harm or assist in the apprehension of the suspect.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Florida Blue Alert: What to know about alerts, when they're issued
