San Bernardino County First District Supervisor Paul Cook Applauds Unanimous Assembly Committee Vote for AB 2645, Expediting Amber Alert Response
Apple Valley, CA – April 12, 2024 – San Bernardino County First District Supervisor Paul Cook today expressed strong support for the April 10 passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 2645 out of the California Assembly Public Safety Committee with a unanimous vote. The bill, which streamlines the process for law enforcement to access license plate data from toll roads during emergencies, now heads to the Committee on Transportation.
“I’m thrilled to see the progress made on AB 2645,” said Supervisor Cook. “Several years ago, I raised this critical issue with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA). In December of last year, with the invaluable assistance of our County’s Sheriff’s Department and Legislative Affairs team, we began advocating for this legislation. I’m grateful to Assemblymember Tom Lackey for taking the lead and authoring this important bill.”
AB 2645 addresses a critical gap in current law enforcement protocols during Amber Alerts and other emergency situations. It requires transportation agencies to notify law enforcement when a vehicle identified in an emergency alert passes through toll lanes. This eliminates the need for a lengthy warrant process, allowing law enforcement to respond swiftly and potentially save lives.
“In situations like Amber Alerts, every second counts,” Supervisor Cook continued. “AB 2645 leverages existing technology to give law enforcement the tools they need to act quickly and effectively.”
Assemblymember Lackey stated, “I am grateful to my colleagues who serve with me on the Public Safety Committee for passing my common sense bill, AB 2645, yesterday. This bill will increase the tools available to law enforcement in the event of an Amber or CHP Alert for a missing person and will undoubtedly increase the responsiveness of law enforcement when time is of the essence.”
Supervisor Cook looks forward to continued progress on AB 2645 and urges the Committee on Transportation to swiftly consider this lifesaving legislation.
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ABOUT SUPERVISOR COL. PAUL COOK (RET.)
Col. Paul Cook (ret.) was elected to represent the First District on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors in March 2020 and began his term on December 7, 2020. An infantry officer who served with distinction in the United States Marine Corps and a veteran of the Vietnam War, Col. Cook’s military career spanned twenty-six years. His actions in combat earned him a number of honors, including two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star Medal with a V for valor. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1992 as a colonel. Col. Cook was elected to serve in the United States House of Representatives in November 2012, representing California’s 8th Congressional District, which includes the High Desert communities of San Bernardino County as well as Mono and Inyo counties. Prior to his election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Col. Cook represented the 65th Assembly District for six years in the California State Legislature. He lives in Apple Valley with his wife, Jeanne.
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