Missouri State Highway Patrol: Ignore Gotham City alert

The Missouri State Highway Patrol on Tuesday issued a statement asking the public to ignore a Batman-related alert that said Gotham City authorities were on the lookout for a purple and green 1978 Dodge.

“GOTHAM CITY MO PURPLE/GREEN 1978 DODGE 3700GT MO UKIDME,” the emergency alert text from the state’s highway patrol read.

Does the description sound familiar? It is the same one referenced in the 1989 “Batman” film that the Joker drives, The Associated Press reported. The municipality, Gotham City, Mo., does not exist.

Missouri State Highway Patrol, which included a screenshot of the text alert, said in a statement on Twitter that there was no alert and that it “was meant to be a test message.”

In a follow-up news release, the state’s highway patrol said that the mistake had occurred on its Blue Alert system after one option had been selected by accident.

“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,” the state’s highway patrol said.

“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.”

Some on social media took the opportunity to poke lighthearted fun at the state’s comic book-themed accident.

“Just admit you lost The Joker. He’s a slippery fellow,” said one Twitter user.

“It may have just been a test, but @CoriBush was ready,” said Jack Besser, a spokesperson for Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), who tweeted a photo of the congresswoman wearing a Batman-associated costume. 

For now, the bat signal will remain reserved for the DC Comics universe.