The Idaho State Police would like to thank you for the tips generated after our Wireless Emergency Alert yesterday. After a tip from the public this afternoon, Jesse Spegal was taken into custody. Spegal had multiple felony warrants and had fled from police on 10/17/2023.
After the pursuit, the Idaho State Police issued a Wireless Emergency Alert to notify Kootenai County Residents of the Law Enforcement Warning. This was the first time ISP has utilized the system and we expect to use the system more for local emergencies. Regional Communication Center Coordinator Melissa Stroh stated there were many questions regarding this system on social media. This is the same system an AMBER Alert is issued on, however, local area emergencies or Endangered Missing People alerts can be scaled down to a County or a very targeted area. This system does not have to be signed up for, however, if you opt-out on your cellular device you will not receive the alerts. In the future, if the ISP issues the alert, we will follow it up with a media release containing photos and/or updates. If you would like to receive these updates please sign up here: https://isp.idaho.gov/news-releases-sign-up/ or watch your local media station.
Want to learn more on WEA Alerts? https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/wireless-emergency-alerts-wea