Did ‘Joker’ escape after killing a police officer? Or was some kid kidnapped from their parents? Will Batman arrive to avenge the killing/kidnapping? Is ‘Gotham city’ real? According to a news story published by the agency, associated press, a ‘blue alert’ issued by Missouri’s patrol unit and accidentally forwarded to citizens’ cell phones led the public into a frenzy.
Last Tuesday evening, 2022, January 18, business was as usual in the state. The Missouri State Highway Patrol carried out a routine test of Missouri’s Blue Alert system. Suddenly, not just the wireless units of the involved patrol units, but even the citizens’ mobile phones got a blaring alert:
“Gotham City MO purple/green 1978 Dodge 3700 GT”
But there is no Gotham City, Missouri, and the car, seemingly a direct reference to the type of vehicle used by the Joker's gang in the 1989 Tim Burton film Batman.
The alert also mentioned a license plate saying "UKIDME," yet another reference to the iconic DC Comics villain immortalized in that film by Oscar-winning actor Jack Nicholson.
Soon after the Tuesday evening alert, the patrol sent another saying to disregard it. The official Twitter account said: There was no alert!
Later on, another tweet was sent out linking to a news release explaining the snafu.
In the brief news release, the patrol said a routine test of Missouri’s Blue Alert system was inadvertently transmitted statewide. The system is designed to let the public know when a police officer is killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.
“Today, a routine test of Missouri's Blue Alert system was inadvertently sent to wireless devices statewide. The Patrol regularly tests the Blue Alert system to ensure it works properly when needed. During the test, an option was incorrectly selected, allowing the message to be disseminated to the public. There is no Emergency Alert at this time. The Patrol appreciates the public's understanding and support of the Emergency Alert program,”
the news release stated.
Presumably, someone within the highway patrol knew quite a bit about Batman lore, specifically the ride and preferred colours (purple and green) of the Dark Knight's arch-nemesis, the Joker.
Following Nicholson's iteration, the character has been portrayed by two more actors on the big screen, each earning an Academy Award for their respective portrayals.
Heath Ledger posthumously won a Best Supporting Oscar for his turn as the vicious clown-faced villain in 2008's The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan.
Over a decade later, Joaquin Phoenix clinched the award for Best Actor for his tormented portrayal of the character in Todd Phillips' 2019 film Joker.
Batman will square off against a slew of other villains this March, including The Riddler and Catwoman in Matt Reeves' The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson in the titular role.
The news story with place line, Jefferson City, Mo., says that though the AP reporter had left a message with patrol on Wednesday seeking additional information, the authorities did not return a call immediately.
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