# Thoughts on the Emergency Alert System? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 28, 2020, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673 "2020-11-28T14:26:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2020, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/21 "2020-11-29T18:05:36Z")
It’s already happening by us ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/22 "2020-11-30T04:09:24Z")
Most likely, authorities didn’t have the proper information to declare it an Amber Alert until that time And I’m assuming you live in the area where it was broadcast? ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/23 "2020-11-30T05:51:09Z")
On a side note, what is the point of EAS broadcasts with unintelligible audio where it can only faintly be discerned through static that a voice is even speaking? I cannot recall ever hearing one on radio or TV that was actually understandable. So far as I am aware, there’s nothing wrong with my hearing, and I do work in a call center. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/24 "2020-11-30T06:32:43Z")
Little late, but being in Chicago I noticed this too. I don’t think anything changed, at least not that I noticed or heard about, but there definitely was a barrage of alerts in a short span. My assumption is the either there was a set of coincidental events, maybe triggered by the holiday, or someone fat fingered the system to trigger more than intended or necessary. I will say that I’m in general agreement with @SenorBeef that this probably is a poor use of the system. Hope someone is tracking the data on this to see what the effectiveness and tradeoffs are. Even if these alerts are highly effective at saving a handful of people, it’s still potentially a very bad idea. These alerts really need to be for special circumstances where getting everyone’s attention is critical, you know, like a global pandemic. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/25 "2020-11-30T11:48:58Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > This most recent alert was from some place called Riverdale - which I [googled](https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/amber-alert-issued-after-double-homicide-abduction-in-riverdale/2381679/) and found as a S burb. What’s a “S burb” is that just Suburb but missing a “U”? ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/26 "2020-11-30T12:00:21Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I’ve had Netflix interrupted for tornado warnings, and I think that’s a good thing. How did Netflix know where you were? With TV and radio stations their broadcasts are local so they can give warnings to the appropriate areas. I don’t understand how a streaming service could do that. I can’t find any info online about weather warnings on streaming services. Can you help me find a cite of this? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/27 "2020-11-30T12:03:29Z")
Most people have an external IP of their provider which allow a fairly close location. Targeted ads make use of this. My prior provided game me an external IP of Newark and I would get North East Jersey oriented ads. Verizon gave me an IP that narrowed it down to my town apparently and I got actually local ads. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/28 "2020-11-30T12:06:51Z")
I knew it was possible to get an approximate location from an IP but I didn’t know that one’s IP was widely known to any random 1 or 0 that passes through your computer. Still I haven’t heard of Netflix actually inserting warnings into people’s shows. Do you know where I can find a cite to that? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/29 "2020-11-30T12:09:42Z")
I found this from last year, [Emergency Alerts May Pop Up On Netflix, Spotify](https://fortune.com/2019/10/25/emergency-alerts-streaming-services/) > A new piece of legislation, with bipartisan support, would require streaming services, such as Netflix, Spotify, Disney+ and more, [to issue alerts](https://www.schatz.senate.gov/press-releases/schatz-thune-reintroduce-legislation-to-improve-the-way-the-public-receives-missile-alerts) in the event of a national emergency, much like television and radio stations as well as cell phones. I’ve never had an alert on my streamers. Not even a tornado alert which would be very useful. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/30 "2020-11-30T12:16:15Z")
Yes. I also found references to the idea of this happening but I found no evidence that it ever has. So I’m hoping **nearwildheaven** can tell me about their experience with Netflix tornado warnings. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/31 "2020-11-30T12:26:25Z")
Pennsylvanians received a WEA text recently, warning us about COVID-19 and suggesting safe behaviors. Timed to affect people’s Thanksgiving choices, another smart move by Governor Wolf. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/32 "2020-11-30T12:45:49Z")
I forgot, we had that also. Hopefully it kept some people home instead of helping to spread COVID in the area. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/33 "2020-11-30T15:11:59Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > On a side note, what is the point of EAS broadcasts with unintelligible audio where it can only faintly be discerned through static that a voice is even speaking? I cannot recall ever hearing one on radio or TV that was actually understandable. This almost has to be a local problem. I’ve never had this experience in my 40+ adult years living in several different states. It might be worth calling your county emergency management authority on a quiet calm weekday and asking them what they know about this. For sure they’ll want to know which channels or stations, where you’re located, what sort of TV or radio you’re receiving the bad broadcasts on, etc. They’re usually a small enough office that you’re not talking to a call center and they are happy to talk to interested citizens. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/34 "2020-11-30T15:19:51Z")
I’ve read that about half of the Amber Alerts are divorce-related custody disputes where the child usually isn’t in any real danger. I’m in favor of “big flashing panic alarm whenever kid is abducted”, but not “big flashing panic alarm to enforce a court order.” Yes, court orders should be enforced. No, you don’t need to wake me up to help do it. It’s not my area. Edited: Okay, I found a figure. Here it is, since it will be contentious. [cite](https://www.protection1.com/amber-alerts/#:~:text=In%20nearly%207%20in%20every,over%205%20percent%20are%20hoaxes.) > [@](#): > > According to AMBER Alert reports, nearly 67 percent of the people who abducted children were men, while almost 31 percent were women. The vast majority of AMBER Alert cases involve abductions by a non-custodial parent – and [more often than not](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-hughes/are-custody-decisions-bia_b_870709.html), mothers are granted custody of children after a breakup. In nearly 44 percent of the cases, the father is the perpetrator; for instance, 3-year-old [Jude Ramirez](http://myfox8.com/2014/12/03/nc-state-trooper-saves-3-year-old-sc-amber-alert-victim/) was abducted by his non-custodial father in 2014 after a violent domestic dispute between the parents. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/35 "2020-11-30T16:10:13Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > What’s a “S burb” is that just Suburb but missing a “U”? S[outh su]burb. I live in a W burb. Lived in/near Chicago for 60 years - never previously heard of Riverdale outside of Archie. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/36 "2020-12-01T00:07:38Z")
I had one, last summer. Watching Netflix on Tv and a tornado alert came up. I wondered if the cable system had some override that it could broadcast to the tv, even if the streaming app was selected. We pull up Netflix via our cable box, so that may make a difference. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673/37 "2020-12-01T04:56:28Z")
I get my Netflix through my Tivo. I got the characteristic squawk and the robotic voice stating that there was a storm warning in the area, and where to expect it to arrive and when. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-the-emergency-alert-system/926673.md?page=1)