California’s Amber Alert program is now 20 years old. Here’s how successful it’s been
While you may be tempted to ignore them, it’s undeniable that Amber Alerts have helped recover hundreds of lost children.
The California Highway Patrol has been sending out alerts for 20 years, with the system boasting a 97% success rate.
A celebration Wednesday at CHP headquarters in Sacramento commemorated the anniversary of the life-saving program.
“These life-saving efforts would not be possible without the public, and your commitments to public safety as well,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said during the celebration.
Since being brought to California, the statewide alert system has been triggered 323 times and helped find 376 children. Nationally, the Amber Network has helped recover 1,114 children.
The system (the acronym AMBER stands for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) was created to notify communities about missing children and other at-risk persons after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted and murdered in Texas in 1996.
It was brought to California after a similar incident involving 5-year-old Samantha Runnion in 2002 — placing focus on the need for such a program in the state.
Technological advancements have helped cut the time it takes for Amber Alerts to go out.
“Since the inception of the program 20 years ago, we have been working on reducing the time it takes because every minute counts,” Lt. Justin Howlett of the CHP’s Emergency Notification and Tactical Alert Center said.
Who is involved in Amber Alerts?
Ray placed emphasis on the department’s partners, who she said are integral to the success of the program, including the California Department of Transportation, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the California Broadcasters Association, FEMA and the California State Lottery.
According to Duane Spencer of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, California led the way in the use of highway signs to help relay the notifications and is continuing to innovate through embedded URLs in alerts.
“This creative thinking has changed the game in California and nationwide, creating a path for the correct information and photos to get into the hands of citizens where it matters the most,” Spencer said.
Joe Berry, president of the California Broadcasters Association, pointed out how sending Amber Alerts via broadcasting stations was also a new and innovative use of emergency broadcast systems. These alerts even help deter crime, he said, as potential perpetrators must think about the millions of Californians who will quickly receive the information.
Amber Alerts used to be broadcast through the National Weather Service, but the CHP has since partnered with FEMA to use their Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.
What’s the public’s role in Amber Alert?
The CHP lists the following advice on how people can help trigger and respond to the alerts.
▪ If you witness a child abduction, call 911 immediately to report it quickly. Be sure to make note of important information such as the physical characteristics of the child and suspect, the make and model of any vehicles involved (including license plate numbers if possible), and the precise location of the abduction.
▪ If you hear an Amber Alert, watch for the child, suspect and vehicle described in the alert. Immediately report any sightings by calling 911 or the telephone number included with the alert. (Do not call 911 to request information about the abduction.)
This story was originally published July 28, 2022 at 12:25 PM.