The FCC receives thousands of complaints about the Blue Alert shooting in Texas

NORTH TEXAS – North Texans are aware of the danger but are still trying to understand when to issue an emergency alert on cell phones about the shooting of an officer in Memphis, Texas.

The blue alert blared through cellphones and clanged gadgets, startling Texans with an unplanned awakening at 5 a.m. The Texas Department of Public Safety issued the announcement to find Seth Altman, who was wanted for attempted murder of a peace officer.

“Yeah, so I would be up in about an hour,” Jordan Stickler said. “Then I heard the alarm go off and that kind of made me nervous for a moment.”

Stickler and many others thought the sound signaled an amber alarm, but that was not the case. Brad Elmore and his wife Audrey have five children, including a toddler.

“This one seemed to be louder than normal for some reason,” Elmore said.

His wife feared the noise would wake their baby when a wave of devices went off.

“He pretty much ignored it,” Audrey Elmore said. “It went off on my phone, his phone, our watches and then my daughter’s phone so I could hear it all over the house.”

Texans didn't like the early morning disruptions and filed complaints with the Federal Communications Commission. A spokesman said the FCC has received nearly 4,000 complaints about the Blue Alert. The agency has not yet said how it will handle the filings.

Blue Alerts have been on the statute books and active in Texas since 2008. DPS sent out a statement regarding its role.

“We would like to remind the public that Blue Alerts are urgent public safety alerts designed to warn people of possible dangers. “They are designed to expedite the apprehension of violent criminals who kill or seriously injure law enforcement officers by generating tips and leads for investigative agencies, thereby providing those agencies with the best opportunity to apprehend a dangerous criminal,” DPS said.

Some even question whether the state should take a close look at the law. North Texans said the danger and immediacy posed a greater disruption than any measure they could take for public safety.

“But the crazy thing was that it was eight hours from here. “So it was pretty far away, which made me wonder, 'Why are we getting it?'” Stickler said.

Brad Elmore said the instances could desensitize the public to the warnings. DPS said it will have to implement the warning when time warrants.

“The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is responsible for managing multiple alerts as part of the statewide alert program. Each of these alerts – and the criteria required to meet them – were established by laws passed by the Texas Legislature,” DPS said.

The Elmores became benefactors of these warnings. Recently, Brad Elmore's father went missing for 12 hours. DPS has issued a Silver Alert. He was located.

“It might be annoying right now, but you have to catch yourself,” Elmore said. “Maybe I need to be careful because this is a loved one who is missing. And you know, I might see a clue that can save his life.”