On-Air Now
On-Air Now

First Time: Wireless Emergency Alerts System Serves As Electronic Wanted Poster

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A milestone in the war on terror was reached this morning as the nation’s Wireless Emergency Alerts system was deployed as an electronic wanted poster.  The image of wanted bombing suspect Ahmad Khan Rahami was transmitted to millions people via their cellphones.   The messages are targeted to a cellphone’s location, so the alert today was limited to people in the New York City area.  A spokesman for the State Police tells the New York Times the decision to release the message came from the authorities in New York City.  A spokesman for  New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the use of the alert system was “a first” for such a purpose.

 

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