Schuitmaker Bill Would Inform Public About Attacks on Law Enforcement

LANSING (WHTC) – The State Senate has passed an area lawamker’s bill that would provide protection to the public and law enforcement in the event of an attack on an officer.The Senate Wednesday approved the measure, sponsored by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker, whose district includes Allegan County. The Blue Alert system, created by Senate Bill 336, will inform the public about attacks on law enforcement officers by quickly dispatching information across various mediums, similar to an Amber Alert. A Blue Alert will be sent out when an officer is either killed or seriously injured by an offender who poses a threat to the general public. Schutimaker hopes that the new system will help locate and capture the criminal in a timely manner. The bill now heads to the House.