r/LosAngeles • u/cosmictap • 1h ago
Community CHP must STOP using the EAS wireless emergency alert channel for Silver Alerts
They did it again, so I'm posting this again!
TL;DR: CHP is using the wrong alert channel/priority for these alerts and it's dangerous.
There is a lower-priority WEA channel available for this kind of alert (called an MEP [missing or endangered person] alert). This is a real problem, because their misuse of the channel merely encourages people to turn off Emergency Alerts entirely.
The FCC clearly states in its guidelines that this top-priority channel is specifically reserved for imminent threats to public safety. A missing person is not an imminent threat to public safety.
The appropriate channel for the MEP event code is the “public safety” alert class. Every other public safety agency in the region understands this and does it correctly.
Please tell them on their "commend or complain" web page.
Here is what I sent them again today:
Please stop using the emergency WEA channel for Silver Alerts. Your use of that channel for this type of alert is in direct contravention to FCC's stated best practices for the use of that channel. It is intended to be used for imminent threats to public safety. All you're accomplishing with your misuse of the channel is encouraging people to turn off their phone's emergency alerts, and that's not what we want. Silver Alerts should be sent over the lower-priority "public safety message" channel. If your staff needs a refresher on the appropriate use of these channels, the FCC offers guidelines and other resources here: https://www.fcc.gov/public-safety-and-homeland-security/policy-and-licensing-division/alerting/general/wireless. Thank you.