An AMBER Alert is an acronym for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response, and it is a tool utilized by law enforcement officers across the United States to help locate missing children. It is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement agencies, broadcasters, transportation agencies, and the wireless industry, among others.
AMBER Alerts are initiated when it has been determined that a child has been abducted and their life is in danger. When this occurs, the police may activate an AMBER Alert through radio, television, online messaging, and other forms of media. This alert will include information about the child abduction and perpetrator, such as a physical description, contact information, vehicle type and plate numbers, or other pertinent details.
When a child abduction occurs, time is of the essence, so AMBER Alerts are designed to disseminate the information to as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time. AMBER Alerts have proven to be instrumental in the recovery of abducted children, so it’s important to pay attention when they are broadcast or published.
What to Do When You Receive an AMBER Alert
If an AMBER Alert is issued in your area, take it seriously and pay attention to the information provided. Be ready to help in any way possible, such as notifying family, friends and neighbors of the alert, or keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity. If you have any relevant information regarding the abduction, contact the police immediately.
AMBER Alerts are an effective way to help keep our children safe, and we can all play a role in reuniting missing children with their families.