Law enforcement warning
A law enforcement warning (SAME code: LEW) is a warning issued through the Emergency Alert System (EAS) in the United States to warn the public of criminal, and sometimes hazardous weather events that pose a threat to public safety. These include jailbreaks, riots, bomb explosions, and on rare occasions, severe weather events like blizzards.[1] An authorized law enforcement agency may blockade roads, waterways, or facilities, evacuate or deny access to affected areas, and arrest violators or suspicious persons.[2] The warning is usually issued by a law enforcement agency and is relayed by the National Weather Service.
Examples
[edit]On 29 September 2012, the city of White Cloud, Michigan issued a shelter in place order due to an escape of 2 inmates from the Lake County jail.[3]
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED LAW ENFORCEMENT WARNING EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND RAPIDS MI 1030 PM EDT SAT SEP 29 2012 THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. CITY OF WHITE CLOUD RESIDENTS...PLEASE LOCK ALL YOUR DOORS IMMEDIATELY. POLICE ARE SEARCHING FOR TWO ESCAPED INMATES FROM THE LAKE COUNTY JAIL WHO HAVE BEEN SIGHTED IN WHITE CLOUD. BOTH SUSPECTS ARE WHITE MALES WEARING WHITE T-SHIRTS AND BLUE JEANS. ONE IS 5 FOOT 10 INCHES TALL AND 155 POUNDS WITH RED HAIR AND BLUE EYES. THE OTHER IS 5 FOOT 11 INCHES TALL AND 185 POUNDS WITH BROWN HAIR AND BLUE EYES. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT NEWAYGO COUNTY CENTRAL DISPATCH AT 2 3 1 8 6 9 5 2 8 8. $$
On 13 September 2015, an alert was issued by the Texas Emergency Management Agency in Amarillo, Texas, in conjunction with the Claude Police Department, regarding a wanted fugitive in Armstrong County, Texas. [4]
321 WOUS44 KAMA 132121 LEWAMA TXC011-140130- URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED LAW ENFORCEMENT WARNING TEXAS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY AMARILLO TEXAS RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AMARILLO TX 421 PM CDT SUN SEP 13 2015 THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE ARMSTRONG COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE. THE ARMSTRONG COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE AND CLAUDE POLICE DEPARTMENT REQUEST A BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR AN HISPANIC MALE WITH BRAIDED HAIR AND A NECK TATTOO THAT HAS ESCAPED AND POSES A DIRECT THREAT TO THE RESIDENTS OF CLAUDE AND ALL OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY. LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN ARMSTRONG COUNTY REQUEST THAT ALL RESIDENTS LOCK THE DOORS OF THEIR VEHICLES AND THEIR HOMES IN THE EVENT THAT THIS SUSPECT HEADS TO THE TOWN OF CLAUDE. THIS SUSPECT IS CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS AND POSES AN IMMEDIATE THREAT TO THE RESIDENTS OF CLAUDE AND ALL OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY. $$ SCHNEIDER
On 23 May 2023, Berkeley County 911 Communications in South Carolina issued an alert for an escaped fugitive. [5]
205
WOUS42 KCHS 232319
LEWCHS
SCC015-240119-
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Law Enforcement Warning
SC Berkeley County 911 Communications
Relayed by National Weather Service Charleston SC
719 PM EDT Tue May 23 2023
...LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY...
The following message is transmitted at the request of Berkeley
County 911 Communications.
LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS SPOTTED A FUGATIVE NEAR HALF WAY CREEK AND
UNITED DR. WHITE MALE MID 30'S 5' 9'' 150 LBS LAST SEEN IN BLUE
SHORTS GREY SHIRT. IF SEEN CALL 800-CALLFBI.
IF SEEN CALL 800-CALLFBI.
&&
LAT...LON 3292 7985 3292 7986 3293 7990 3297 7987
3297 7990 3305 7990 3308 7991 3311 7990
3313 7987 3316 7982 3317 7976 3313 7965
3302 7974 3300 7976 3298 7978 3295 7978
3295 7979 3293 7982 3293 7983
$$
IPAWSOPEN2017540523_071912/Actual
On Independence Day 2026, due to dry conditions posing a fire danger, the Baca County Office of Emergency Management issued a stage 1 burn ban.[6]
006 WOUS45 KPUB 042124 LEWPUB COC009-052119- BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED Law Enforcement Warning CO Baca County Office of Emergency Management Relayed by National Weather Service Pueblo CO 324 PM MDT Sat Jul 4 2026 The following message is transmitted at the request of Baca County Office of Emergency Management. Baca County Stage 1 Fire Ban in effect until further notice. No fireworks or outdoor burning allowed in unincorporated areas. Very dry with windy conditions and extreme fire danger. Baca County Sheriffs Department and Springfield Police Department will issue citations for any illegal fireworks within incorporated areas. Citations will be issued for any fireworks or open burning in unincorporated areas. Propane grills allowed if always attended and fire extinguisher present. Stay safe and aware. Call 9 1 1 immediately to report any fire or other emergency. $$ 17832002920001395473010
References
[edit]- ↑ "Watches, Warnings and Advisories". National Weather Service. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. - ↑ "Non-weather Related Emergency Message Description Guidelines" (PDF). National Weather Service. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ↑ "Law Enforcement Warning on September 29, 2012". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. 2012-09-29. Retrieved 2026-07-06. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ↑ "Law Enforcement Warning on September 13, 2015". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. 2012-09-29. Retrieved 2026-07-06. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ↑ "Law Enforcement Warning on May 23, 2023". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ↑ "Law Enforcement Warning on Independence Day 2026". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. 2026-07-04. Retrieved 2026-07-06. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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