LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan’s new Amber Alert-like system to quickly warn people of mass shootings, terrorist attacks and other nearby threats is operational.
State police on Thursday announced the update about the system.
Following activation by law enforcement, the system can be used to interrupt radio and TV broadcasting in the affected area. A wireless emergency alert can also be issued through mobile carriers that will appear on mobile devices similar to a text message.
Legislation to create the system was signed in June by Gov. Rick Snyder and was spurred by the random February fatal shootings of six people in the Kalamazoo area.
The measures also create criminal penalties for making a false report of a public threat and require offenders to reimburse governments for the cost of responding to false reports.
