Every year, thousands of children go missing in the United States. In 1983, the first AMBER Alert was issued, and since then, these alerts have become a vital tool for law enforcement agencies to find missing children. But who is responsible for issuing these alerts? In this article, we will explore the company behind AMBER Alerts and how they are helping to keep children safe from harm.
The History of AMBER Alerts
AMBER Alerts were named after a 9-year-old girl named Amber Hagerman who was abducted in Texas in 1996. Her body was found three days later, and her kidnapper was caught and sentenced to death. In memory of Amber, the Texas Department of Public Safety launched an initiative called the “Amber Alert” program, which aimed to quickly alert the public about child abductions in progress.
The Program’s Evolution
The AMBER Alert program has since grown and evolved to include all 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. It is now a nationwide system that uses various methods to disseminate information about missing children, including radio and television broadcasts, text messages, highway signs, and social media.
The Company Behind AMBER Alerts
While it may seem like a government-run program, the company behind AMBER Alerts is actually a private company called Verizon Wireless. In 2013, Verizon entered into a partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to provide wireless services for AMBER Alert programs.
Verizon’s involvement in AMBER Alerts began in 2005 when the company agreed to donate a portion of its profits from text message sales to the NCMEC. Since then, Verizon has continued to support the program by providing technology and resources to help law enforcement agencies quickly disseminate information about missing children.
How AMBER Alerts Work
When a child goes missing, law enforcement agencies can activate an AMBER Alert by contacting their local broadcast center. The broadcast center then sends out a message to radio and television stations, as well as social media platforms, with details about the child’s disappearance. The message includes a description of the child, including their name, age, gender, physical characteristics, clothing, and any distinguishing features.
The message also includes information about the suspected abductor, including any available details such as their name, vehicle description, and license plate number. Additionally, the broadcast center can provide information on where the child may have been last seen, as well as any potential locations for the suspect to be found.
Case Studies of AMBER Alerts in Action
One of the most successful AMBER Alert cases was the case of 13-year-old Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted from her home in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2002. Her abductor was discovered in California nine months later, thanks in part to the extensive media coverage and public awareness generated by the AMBER Alert.
Another successful case involved the disappearance of 10-year-old Adam Walsh in Florida in 1981. The AMBER Alert in this case helped bring the child’s body back to his family just two days after he was abducted.
The Impact of AMBER Alerts
Since its inception, the AMBER Alert program has become a vital tool for law enforcement agencies to find missing children quickly and safely. According to the NCMEC, the program has helped recover over 95% of the children who were abducted and killed in the United States in 2017.
Summary
The company behind AMBER Alerts is Verizon Wireless, which has been providing technology and resources to help law enforcement agencies quickly disseminate information about missing children since 2005. With the help of the NCMEC and other partners, the AMBER Alert program continues to be a vital tool for finding missing children and keeping them safe from harm.
FAQs
What is an AMBER Alert?
An AMBER Alert is a system used by law enforcement agencies to quickly disseminate information about child abductions in progress. The acronym stands for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response.
