Bill Overview
Title: Active Shooter Alert Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires a designated officer of the Department of Justice to act as the national coordinator of an Active Shooter Alert Communications Network regarding an emergency involving an active shooter. The bill sets forth duties of the coordinator, including to work with state, tribal, and local governments to encourage coordination of various elements of the network. The coordinator must also encourage federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies to establish procedures for responding to active shooters. Finally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study and report on state and local responses to active shooters and situations requiring the issuance of a public alert or warning.
Sponsors: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals potentially impacted by active shooter situations globally
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The bill establishes a national coordinator for active shooter alerts, which means that any person in the United States could potentially be impacted, as they could be subjected to new alert systems.
- The bill affects law enforcement agencies across federal, state, local, and tribal levels, who will need to adapt to new alert plans and procedures.
- The bill aims to provide better responses to active shooter situations, which could directly impact potential victims, including students, office workers, and general public spaces where shootings occur.
- The bill involves the Government Accountability Office to study responses to active shooters, impacting researchers and data analysts involved.
- Globally, active shooter events are primarily a significant issue in the United States, but similar legislative frameworks could inspire changes in countries with similar issues.
- The total US population is roughly 331 million, and potential active shooter alerts would conceptually cover this entire group.
Reasoning
- The given policy affects a broad section of the U.S. population by potentially improving response times and preparedness for active shooter situations. The impact can be nuanced as the policy aims for national coordination but may directly affect only those who are in targeted situations. Localized law enforcement, schools, businesses, and areas that have faced such threats previously will be noticeably impacted.
- It is important to consider individuals from different geographical areas (urban vs. rural), as urban areas might experience a more direct effect of active alerts due to higher population densities. Rural areas may not see as significant a change unless a direct alert is needed.
- Cost considerations suggest that implementing such a policy with a national scope will bear more immediate significance in terms of training and adapting alert systems rather than providing direct monetary benefit to individuals.
- The psychological impact of knowing that more robust alert systems are in place might enhance general wellbeing and feelings of safety among the general populace, hence influencing Cantril wellbeing scores positively despite people not being directly involved in a shooting event. We will consider a variety of cases and scores to reflect diversity in this coverage.
- Consider how aware people currently are of the existing safety protocols versus their levels of awareness and perceived safety after the policy has been executed successfully. Immediate improvements might come from better information distribution and the sense of community safety.
Simulated Interviews
High School Teacher (New York City, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having a more coordinated approach to alerts is a relief. Our school has faced threats before and I always worried about the chaos during such scenarios.
- I think this policy could improve response times and get information to us faster, which might prevent panic.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Farmer (Rural Texas)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We don't usually get affected by such events, but it's good to know we have a system in place.
- I'd be more interested in how it affects schools and public places in bigger cities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
IT Specialist in a large corporation (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe having a national alert system will help reduce the confusion in emergencies. It reassures me that information sharing will improve.
- It's a bit overwhelming to think of the potential threat, but I feel better knowing there's a plan.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
College Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a criminal justice major, I see the need for cohesive alerts in our current climate. It feels like a necessary step forward.
- This could also help us as students advocate for safer campus policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Shop Owner (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about how quickly these alerts work in real life and whether they will reach small businesses effectively.
- Anything that helps catch the problem early would be appreciated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Police Officer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We need efficient alert systems to ensure that we can respond more effectively and possibly save more lives.
- I look forward to any training and coordination this bill provides as it should make our jobs easier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Retired (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a grandmother, I'm happy to know schools and public places will have a more coordinated response.
- I hope this translates to better safety for my grandkids.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retail Worker (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Shoppers and workers need to feel safe in public places. A national alert system could make a real difference.
- I'm supportive of any measures that build upon our safety procedures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Tech Startup Founder (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As someone in tech, I see a lot of potential for improving our alert systems and I'm optimistic about future program developments.
- This bill is a step towards integrating smart technologies for better safety management.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Data Analyst (Boston, MA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm eager to see the data from these implementations and how they might influence public safety strategies.
- Understanding the impact will help refine future initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $35000000)
Year 2: $20000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $30000000)
Year 3: $20000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $30000000)
Year 5: $20000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $30000000)
Year 10: $15000000 (Low: $13000000, High: $25000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $8000000)
Key Considerations
- Implementation of the alert system across diverse jurisdictions will require significant coordination and cooperation among various levels of government.
- Technology infrastructure and integration are critical to the success of the alert system, requiring ongoing investment.
- Long-term effectiveness depends on the system's interface with existing emergency management procedures and technologies.