MN To Test Blue Alert System On August 15

A first-ever test of a relatively new alert system will happen on Thursday, August 15.  The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will conduct a test of their Blue Alert system at 1:10 PM and want to make sure that everyone is aware of the drill.

Many aren't aware of the Blue Alert system - which was set up in 2015 to notify the general public when a law enforcement officer is "seriously hurt, killed by an offender,  or an officer is missing while in the line of duty under circumstances that would cause concern for the officer's safety."  That lack of awareness is one of the reasons for this test.

According to information on the MNBCA's website, the Blue Alert is transmitted in the following ways:

• Email, text message and/or fax to Minnesota media and subscribers to the Minnesota Crime Alert Network.
• A recorded Emergency Alert System message.
• Electronic highway message signs regionally or statewide, depending on information known to law enforcement at the time.
• A Wireless Emergency Alert on cell phones.

During a Blue Alert activation, anyone who sees a vehicle or person(s) matching the information provided in the Alert is urged to dial 911 as soon as it is safe to do so. Members of the public should not approach or attempt to apprehend the subject of a Blue Alert.