Amber Alert Plan
The AMBER Alert Plan is a voluntary partnership between law- 
enforcement agencies, broadcasters, and transportation agencies to activate an
urgent bulletin in the most serious child-abduction cases. Broadcasters use the
Emergency Alert System (EAS) to air a description of the abducted child and
suspected abductor. This is the same concept used during severe weather
emergencies. The goal of an AMBER Alert is to instantly galvanize the entire
community to assist in the search for and safe recovery of the child.
Why was the AMBER Plan created?
The AMBER Plan was created in 1997 as a powerful legacy to 9-year-old Amber
Hagerman who was kidnapped and brutally murdered while riding her bicycle in
Arlington, Texas. The tragedy shocked and outraged the entire community.
Residents contacted radio stations in the Dallas area and suggested they
broadcast special "alerts" over the airwaves so they could help prevent such
incidents in the future.
The next year local law enforcement and broadcasters created the AMBER Plan in
Amber Hagerman's honor. The AMBER Plan, also known as America's Missing:
Broadcast Emergency Response Plan, is a program in which broadcasters and
transportation authorities immediately distribute information about recent
child abductions to the public, enabling the entire community to assist in the
search for and safe recovery of the child. What began as a local effort in
Dallas, Texas, has grown into a seamless system of AMBER Alert programs across
the country, each year saving the lives of abducted children.
How do AMBER Alerts work?
Once law enforcement has been notified about an abducted child, they must first
determine if the case meets the recommended criteria from the U.S. Department
of Justice for activating an alert. Each of the following criteria must be met
for an Amber Alert to be activated:
- There is reasonable belief by law enforcement an abduction has occurred
- The abduction is of a child age 17 years or younger, or with a proven mental or physical disability
- The law-enforcement agency believes the child is in danger of serious bodily injury or death
If these criteria are met, alert information must be put together for public
distribution. This information may include descriptions and pictures of the
missing child, the suspected abductor, and a suspected vehicle along with any
other information available and valuable to identifying the child and suspect.
The information is then faxed to radio stations designated as primary stations
under the EAS. The primary stations send the same information to area radio and
television stations and cable systems via the EAS, and participating stations
immediately broadcast the information to millions of listeners. Radio stations
interrupt programming to announce the Alert, and television stations and cable
systems run a "crawl" on the screen along with a picture of the child.
The Texas Department of Transportation utilizes their electronic highway
billboards during an AMBER activation. The billboards typically used to
disseminate traffic information to drivers, now alert the public of abducted
children by displaying pertinent information about the child, abductor, or
suspected vehicle that drivers might look for on highways.
What should I do when an AMBER Alert is issued?
The AMBER Alert message encourages the public to look for the missing child or
suspect. You become the eyes and ears of local law enforcement. In the event
you spot a child, adult, or vehicle fitting the AMBER Alert description,
immediately call the telephone number given in the AMBER Alert and provide
authorities with as much information as you know.
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| Protect Your Children |
To help protect your child from stranger abductions:
Know your neighbors and your child's friends, including their names, addresses
and phone numbers. Know the routes your child takes to and from school,
friends' homes and other activities. Check the references and qualifications of
child care centers and baby sitters caring for your children. Ask your child
care center whether criminal background checks are conducted on staff members.
Teach your child what to do if approached by a stranger. Common approaches are:
offering the child a ride, gift, or candy; asking the child to help look for a
lost pet; or claiming that the child's parent has asked them to bring the child
home. Listen to your child; don't disregard their fears. Instead, let them know
that you take their fears and concerns seriously.
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Wireless AMBER Alerts is an initiative to distribute AMBER Alerts to wireless subscribers who opt in to receive the messages. Subscribers capable of receiving text messages, and whose wireless carrier participates in the Wireless AMBER Alerts Initiative, may opt in to receive alerts on their cellular phone or pager by registering at the following link: Wireless AMBER Alerts |
For more information or tips on child safety and The Amber Alert program visit these additional sites:
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Polly Klaas Foundation
Current AMBER Alerts
Texas Amber Alert Network
