LANSING (WKZO-AM) — Legislation inspired by a mass murder in Kalamazoo has received its first hearing in Lansing.
No vote was taken, but the House Communications and Technology Committee heard testimony on Tuesday supporting the creation of an active shooter alert system.
Co-sponsor Brandt Iden, R-Oshtemo, said it would technically work like the Amber Alert system, using cell phones and media alerts. But instead of spreading information about missing children, it would let people know an active shooter or terrorist is posing a threat in their area.
It would be administered by the Michigan State Police, who would only release the message if it met certain criteria.
Iden and co-sponsor Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo, testified they had heard from many constituents who did not find out about the danger until the next morning, or heard about it from someone outside the community.
Laurie Smith and her daughter testified that, if the system had been up and running on the night of Feb. 20, then Richard and Tyler Smith would be alive today. Police say they were gunned down by Jason Dalton as they looked at pickups at the Kia dealership on Stadium Drive in Kalamazoo.
Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller and Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting also testified at the hearing, supporting the creation of the alert system.
Hoadley’s companion bill would make it a felony to trigger a false alarm.
They are hoping for a committee vote next week and House passage by summer.
