New Wireless Amber Alert Program Gets the Word Out Faster Than Ever

On Wednesday, January 19, many individuals took to popular social networking sites such as Facebook to ask the same question: “Did anyone else just receive an AMBER alert on their phone?” If you did, do not be alarmed.

Olivia Dallas

According to www.amberalert.gov, As of January 1, 2013, AMBER Alerts”! will now be automatically sent through the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) program to millions of cell phone users. If you have a WEA-enabled phone, you are automatically enrolled for the three alerts: President, Imminent Threat and AMBER Alerts. The addition of AMBER Alerts to this notification system is a result of a partnership between CTIA and the wireless industry, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).”

The Orange, Va. AMBER Alert let people know to be on the lookout for a 2001 Burgundy Mercedes C240 with the license plate 8AFZ03 (VA). Within minutes of the AMBER Alert being sent out, the missing child, Amiyah M. Dallas, 5, was discovered in Accomack County in the custody of her aunt, Olivia N. Dallas, who was identified as the abductor.

All 50 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have implemented AMBER Alert plans and have successfully recovered over 679 children. Based on information received from www.amberalert.gov, “Once law enforcement determines that a

Amiyah Dallas

child has been abducted and the abduction meets AMBER Alert criteria, law enforcement issues an AMBER Alert and notifies broadcasters and state transportation officials. AMBER Alerts interrupt regular programming and are broadcast on radio and television and on highway signs. AMBER Alerts can also be issued on lottery tickets, wireless devices such as mobile phones, and over the Internet.”

Although each state has their own criteria for issuing AMBER Alerts, the Department of Justice has issued minimum guidelines that states can voluntarily adopt. These guidelines state that in order for an AMBER Alert to be issued, it must be determined that:

-The child is 17 or younger

-An abduction has taken place (confirmed by law enforcement)

-There is risk of injury or death to the child

-Information concerning the child, captor, or captor’s vehicle is available

-It is recommended that immediate entry of AMBER Alert data be entered in FBI’s National Crime Information Center. Text information describing the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the child should be entered, and the case flagged as Child Abduction.

While AMBER Alerts are a good source in helping bring abducted minors home, they also serve as a deterrent to those who may be thinking about preying on children.