On the recordNovember 18, 2010
I rise today to introduce the National Blue Alert Act of 2010. Having just concluded Crime Prevention month it is important to remember our law enforcement officers that put their lives on the line every day. There are more than 900,000 police officers in the United States dedicated to stopping crime and making our communities safer. Every day they go out onto the streets, and unfortunately become targets for criminals who have no regard for law and order. According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, officer deaths have surged by 43 percent in the first half of 2010. Eighty-seven officers died in the line of duty between January 1 and June 30 of this year. If this rate continues, 2010 could become one of the deadliest years for U.S. law enforcement in two decades. We need to make sure our officers have all the tools they need to protect themselves and each other. This is why I, along with Senator Graham and Senator Leahy, am introducing the National Blue Alert Act in an effort to provide law enforcement with an additional tool in fighting crime.
