Mandated Messages: The President and Homeland Security Coming to Your Cell Phone

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City will launch a new national emergency alert system by the end of the year that will send messages to cell phones during disasters.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg made the announcement Tuesday at a news conference overlooking the World Trade Center site.

He says the new technology will give the public clear and accurate information about imminent safety threats.

The mayor says it will be geographically targeted and send messages to all cell phone users.

He was joined by FCC Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genashowski, as well as federal and local officials.

The alert plan was approved by Congress in 2006 under the Warning Alert and Response Network Act.

The system also will be launched in Washington by the end of the year.