Los Angeles hoping to crack down on hit-and-runs with alert system

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles city leaders are trying to crack down on the number of drivers fleeing the scene of a wreck by implementing an alert system that would broadcast suspect and vehicle information through social media and the city's existing emergency alert systems.

The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a motion to implement the new alert system, which is inspired by Medina Alerts, a Denver program also focused on hit-and-run crimes.

The Medina system works similarly to the Amber Alert system and has been very effective in Denver, where the system's creator says 78 percent of the hit-and-run alerts sent out have been solved.

Los Angeles officials say all city departments will be asked to pitch in on notifications, which could go out on the city's Twitter and Facebook accounts, as well as the LAPD's Nixle and the Emergency Management Department's NotifyLA text message alert system. Taxi drivers, Metro, and rideshare companies Uber and Lyft will also be asked to share these notifications in their dispatch systems.

"We need all eyes and ears in the city of Los Angeles to be our partners to solve these crimes," said City Councilman Mitchell Englander, who proposed the program.

Last year, in Los Angeles alone, hit-and-run crashes killed 27 people and seriously injured 144 people. On average, LAPD is only able to solve about 20 percent of the cases. Officials say drivers flee the scene of nearly half of vehicle crashes in Los Angeles, compared with 11 percent nationally.

The City Council also instructed city attorneys to prepare an ordinance that would set up a standing reward for hit-and-run witnesses. The automatic reward, similar to one that already exists for graffiti and vandalism crimes, would be $1,000 for property damage, $5,000 for minor injury, $25,000 for serious injuries and $50,000 if the hit-and-run is fatal.

Authorities are hoping the reward will offer an extra incentive for witnesses to come forward with information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.

The alerts will only go out when the hit-and-run causes serious bodily injuries or a fatality, and when there is sufficient information on the suspect vehicle. The alerts will only be broadcast on geographic area where the hit-and-run takes place.

The council recently voted to support state legislation that would create a statewide alert system for hit-and-run crimes, but Englander said city officials have the ability to implement their own program immediately.

In Sacramento, Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Glendale) introduced legislation in December, which would establish the statewide "Yellow Alert" system to help solve hit-and-run crimes.

"I'm happy that colleagues in Los Angeles have decided to follow my lead on this important issue," said Gatto. "Hit-and-run victims and their families deserve to know that cowards who drive recklessly and purposefully avoid responsibility, will be caught, and will no longer be allowed to drive the streets."

City News Service contributed to this report.