A Blue Alert is a public bulletin that informs the media, law enforcement, and the public about the search for a person who is suspected of harming or killing a law enforcement officer.

Sounds pointless even then not a false alarm. Just use a regular shelter-in-place alert or whatever. No need to also specify cops are in harm’s way. That should be obvious.

[–] francisfordpoopola@lemmy.world 27 points 2 years ago

And what the hell are we supposed to do? Break out my pistol and head north?

[–] Zachariah@lemmy.world 14 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Or maybe I’m wrong. What if we had colors for all occupations that frequently get shot?

Gold for teachers

Silver for military

White for postal worker

Green for retail sales workers

Yellow for taxi drivers

Brown for waiters

[–] mystik@lemmy.world 9 points 2 years ago (1 children)

You forgot a category for school kids. You did say "frequently" ...

[–] Zachariah@lemmy.world 12 points 2 years ago

Damnit, that’s the whole reason I added the comment.

Pink for girl students

Blue for boy students

(I’m assuming the color-coding people only believe in two genders.)

[–] spankmonkey@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago

Delivery drivers too!

[–] Nougat@fedia.io -5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

TBF, if someone is on the run after having attacked a police officer, you could safely assume that they are a danger to anyone who stands in their way.

[–] Zachariah@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago (1 children)

That’s kinda my point.

[–] Nougat@fedia.io 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

But you said

No need to also specify cops are in harm’s way.

I'm saying that specifying that communicates the seriousness of the situation, and the potential danger to the public.

[–] Zachariah@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I don’t see how the occupation of the person getting shot makes it any more serious.

And cops would already communicate to each other that one of them was harmed, so I’m not sure it helps them either.

[–] Nougat@fedia.io -2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

TBF, if someone is on the run after having attacked a police officer, you could safely assume that they are a danger to anyone who stands in their way.

[–] Zachariah@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

TBF, if someone is on the run after having attacked an anyone, you could safely assume that they are a danger to anyone who stands in their way.

I don’t currently think so, but you may be right: An attacker is more dangerous if they’ll harm a cop.

[–] Nougat@fedia.io 0 points 2 years ago

An attacker is more dangerous if they’ll harm a cop.

That's what I was going for, and I was not clear enough. If you're someone who's going to attack a cop in order to escape, you're far more likely to do anything to remain uncaptured.