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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Dom Costa
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Costa's Blue Alert bill the subject of Judiciary Committee hearing
HARRISBURG, Sept. 7 – A bill introduced by state Rep. Dom Costa to help catch those suspected of killing or injuring law enforcement officers was the subject of a House Judiciary Committee informational meeting today.
"This bill would provide additional tools to help law enforcement officers apprehend suspects accused of attacking their comrades," said Costa, D-Allegheny. "I would like to thank Chairman Caltagirone and the committee for opening up a dialogue about this important issue."
Costa's bill (H.B. 2629) would create the Blue Alert system, similar to the Amber Alert system used to catch suspected child abductors, using media broadcasts and messaging signs along highways to provide information about the vehicle of a suspected law enforcement assailant.
The investigating law enforcement agency would recommend activation of a Blue Alert when:
· A law enforcement officer is killed or seriously injured by an offender; and
· The offender poses a serious risk or threat to the public or other law enforcement personnel.
Similar systems are currently being used in Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas.
Costa said that representatives from the Fraternal Order of Police, Pennsylvania State Police and Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association attended today's hearing.
House Bill 2629 has bipartisan support and is currently in the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.
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