FCC Approves Blue Alert Item 4-1, With Rosenworcel Partial Dissent
All commissioners spoke in support of the FCC’s order creating a dedicated Blue Alert code, but Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel was a lone partial dissent, voicing objection to the cost-benefit analysis. That analysis “puts a price on the death of first responders and then nets it out against industry expenses,” Rosenworcel said. “There is a way to do cost-benefit analysis thoughtfully and with dignity for those who wear the shield,” she said. “This isn’t it.” With Rosenworcel’s partial dissent, the order was approved 4-1, as some expected (see 1712130055).
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The order creates a dedicated emergency alert system code to be used on a voluntary basis similarly to Amber Alerts, but for law enforcement officers in danger. The BLU code will be used when there's “actionable information” about a law enforcement officer who's threatened, missing, seriously injured or killed, said the Public Safety Bureau. The order includes a 12-month implementation period for Blue Alerts to be delivered via EAS, and 18-months for wireless emergency alerts.
“One way of measuring the value of lives saved is the value of a statistical life (VSL), currently estimated at $9.6 million,” says the draft cost benefit analysis. “If the BLU code is expected to save at least one life, its value would be at least $9.6 million, which far exceeds the one-time $3.5 million implementation cost ceiling.”
Commissioner Mike O’Rielly also blasted the item’s cost-benefit analysis in his written comments, but not in his verbal statement Thursday. “The cost-benefit analysis in this item continues our streak of subpar work in the public safety area,” O’Rielly said. “Instead of a true analysis of the benefits, it dredges up the same discredited value of a statistical life that the commission abused in the past.” Bureau Chief Lisa Fowlkes, who said her grandfather was a police officer, declined to respond to commissioner criticisms of the analysis, but said she certainly agrees the life of a police officer is highly valuable. “That’s one of the reasons the commission took the action it took today,” Fowlkes said.
The order stems from a 2015 law named for two New York City police officers killed in the line of duty, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu. Liu’s father, Wei Tang Liu, tearfully addressed the FCC in Chinese. “I strongly believe this act will protect the safety of our law enforcement,” he said through an interpreter. Several commissioners seemed near tears during and after the comments from the officer’s family members. “The words on this page seemed so much easier to read after meeting you this morning,” Commissioner Mignon Clyburn said while reading her prepared statement.
Approving the item fulfilled a promise made in his news conference at DOJ six months ago (see 1705190048), Chairman Ajit Pai said. “We aim to promote compatible and integrated Blue Alert plans throughout the United States.” Lack of a dedicated Blue Alert code was “one of the primary obstacles to more states adopting and using Blue Alert plans,” said Commissioner Brendan Carr. Law enforcement officer assaults, injuries and deaths have increased sharply in recent years, said a statement in docket 15-94 from William Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations, who also attended the vote. “A functioning National Blue Alert Network, with all states participating, is vital for the protection of our nation's law enforcement officers.”