Blog: Governor's Weekly Message to Delawareans

Statement

Governor Jack Markell is joined in his weekly message by Colonel Robert Coupe, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police to discuss two new laws to help those who protect us, including police officers, first responders, firefighters and others who put their lives on the line.

The first bill (HB 448), sponsored by Rep. Terry Schooley, creates an alert system to aid in the capture of offenders who kill or seriously injure a law enforcement officer. Delaware will become the seventh state to enact a "blue alert" system that will notify citizens when a suspect remains at large.

"The goal is to provide people with information about a dangerous person and his or her possible whereabouts," Governor Markell said.

"Our Delaware Information Analysis Center, known as DIAC, will be providing the support needed to make sure alerts go not only to Delawareans, but to other police agencies in surrounding states, where criminals can flee," explained Colonel Coupe. "This technology already exists so the "Blue Alert' system costs virtually nothing, yet carries the potential to spare further injuries and lives and helps us better track down dangerous criminals."

The second bill (Senate Bill 205), authored by Senator Brian Bushweller, enhances penalties for striking an emergency worker after not moving over. Delaware's move over law requires motorists to move--if possible--at least one lane away from firefighters, law enforcement, ambulances, tow trucks and transportation workers. If motorists cannot move one lane away, they should slow down and proceed with caution.

"We've had too many tragedies, too many times drivers not paying attention to a DelDOT worker, a State Trooper, a local paramedic or tow truck on the side of the road," said Colonel Coupe.

At noon every Friday, a new video message is posted to the Governor's website and YouTube channel and is distributed to Delaware media outlets. Transcripts of the messages are posted and the audio version of the Governor's message is available on iTunes as a podcast for distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. The Governor's weekly message is currently being carried on the air and posted on websites by various media outlets. The direct link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV9EoVSnC2U

Constituents, media outlets and others are free to link to the Governor's video message on:
· YouTube -- http://www.youtube.com/user/GovernorMarkell

· Facebook -- http://www.facebook.com/governormarkell

· Delaware State website -- http://governor.delaware.gov/information/podcast_video.shtml.

All are also invited to follow him on Twitter -- http://www.twitter.com/governormarkell -- and submit ideas through http://ideas.delaware.gov/

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