KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Two local Michigan House representatives working separately have both proposed legislation that would create an alert system when there is a police emergency in a community and lives are at risk.
Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo, has been working with Kalamazoo County Sheriff Rick Fuller and Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting on a system similar to the Amber Alert that would get the word out quickly.
He says the technology exists and it’s just a matter of agreeing when it should be used.
They would have to be sure that it’s only used when absolutely required.
If it’s used too often, it’s feared the system can lose credibility with smartphone users. That’s why they are proposing that Michigan State Police should make the final decision on whether to trigger an alert.
Brandt Iden, R-Oshtemo, has proposed similar legislation.
Hoadley said he is willing to work together to create such a system that could be used to warn about an active shooter, or a chemical spill or any ongoing community threat.
