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TBI: 'We're listening' to concerns about vague Blue Alert messages sent to phones

An alert sent to cell phones about the search for an armed and dangerous man had many Tennesseans wondering and worrying.

Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) says they've heard your complaints about the vague "armed and dangerous" alert sent to your cell phones, and they are listening.

TBI triggered a Blue Alert for the suspect after a Dickson County deputy was killed on Wednesday.

Credit: WBIR

The statewide emergency alert, sent twice on Wednesday, read "STEVEN WIGGINS*ARMED AND DANGEROUS W/ M BROWN HAIR/EYES**6'1,220,866-ALERTTBI."

Many of the complaints centered on the fact that there was no location included in the alert. People weren't sure if the wanted man was in their area or not, and didn't know what action to take.

The TBI says the wireless emergency alert system they use for Blue Alerts and AMBER Alerts is limited by space.

"It’s important to note that the system that sends out wireless emergency alerts is not administered by TBI, and only allows us 90 characters to share the information we feel is most important. It's meant to alert the public to connect with their preferred news source or our social media platforms for additional information," said TBI spokesperson Leslie Earhart in an email to 10News.

The system also doesn't allow them to send out a photo or additional links.

"In every emergency situation, we do our best to relay the information we feel is most important as quickly as possible. While we strive to do our best, we do not claim to be perfect and recognize that there is always room for improvement. Many have asked that we include a specific location in the message moving forward. We appreciate that suggestion and are taking it to heart," wrote Earhart.

Earhart says the TBI will review how the situation was handled so they can improve the process in the future.

This was only the second time a Blue Alert has been issued by TBI since the protocol was established in 2011. It's meant to allow investigators to get information out to the public quickly in the event an officer is killed in the line of duty or is missing as the result of foul play.

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The TBI's website contains more details about each alert it sends, and like AMBER alerts the TBI also posts messages to the electronic message signs across Tennessee's interstate system.

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