Dateline Sacramento — Board of Equalization Vice Chair George Runner this afternoon applauded a new federal law that creates a nationwide alert system to help catch anyone who injures, kills, or makes credible threats against a peace officer:

“As the author of California’s Blue Alert law,” Mr. Runner said, “I applaud Congress and the President for helping ensure the safety of all peace officers in every state in the country.”

Mr. Runner said that “a violent act against a police officer is a violent act against society.

“That is why I believe a Blue Alert system is necessary.”

California’s version of Blue Alert (SB 839) was signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger in 2010 and went into effect Jan.1, 2011.

Mr. Runner also is the author of California’s child abduction Amber Alert system.

Mr. Runner may be contacted at www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.