2009: In total, 15 officers have been killed in multiple-shootings incidents, up from four in 2008 and the most since 2000. Meanwhile, 44 officers total have been shot and killed in 2009, compared with 37 during the period last year – an increase of 19 percent. George Runner has proposed legislation to authorize the California Highway Patrol to activate the state's Emergency Alert System and issue a "Blue Alert" when necessary to speed apprehension of criminals who attack or kill local, state, or federal law enforcement officers. Similar to the "Amber Alert," which is employed when children are abducted, the Blue Alert will be activated only if a peace officer is killed, seriously wounded or assaulted with a firearm. Blue Alert programs have been established in Florida, Texas and Oklahoma and can help avert further harm to officers and the public when a description of the offender's vehicle or license plate are available for broadcast. The cold-blooded killing of four officers in Oakland and four Washington State officers just this year serves as a grim reminder that law enforcement officers must often confront criminals capable of incredible violence. When attacks on peace officers do occur, law enforcement agencies and the public may be better served by activation of a Blue Alert.