A missing child is every parent’s nightmare and experience shows that the first three hours are the most critical to the recovery of an abducted child. Several years ago, wireless companies collaborated with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the U.S. Department of Justice to make Wireless AMBER Alerts™ available to you via text message. Wireless AMBER Alerts significantly increase the reach of the overall AMBER Alert program. Because of the critical time window and their ability to reach you instantly wherever you are, these alerts are another invaluable tool to help find missing children.
AMBER Alerts are now part of the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) program, and millions of cellphone users across the U.S. receive these free, text-like alerts in their area. Unlike the old alerts, WEA AMBER Alerts use the latest technology. Though they look like a text message on a WEA-capable device, they are unique because they are delivered immediately and not subject to potential congestion or delays on wireless networks. The technology allows them to be sent to wireless subscribers in targeted geographical areas to make them more relevant.
For example, let’s say you live in Baltimore, MD, but are in Kansas City, MO on a business trip. If a WEA is issued in your vicinity in Kansas City and your device is WEA-capable, you will receive that message. Likewise, if a WEA is issued in Baltimore, but you are not in that vicinity, you will not receive that message.
The Office of Justice Program’s AMBER (America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) Alert Program, named after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, is a voluntary partnership among law enforcement agencies, the wireless industry, transportation officials, broadcasters and other entities to activate an urgent bulletin to find abducted children. Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary is the National AMBER Alert Coordinator responsible for this national network.
The 700,000 wireless customers currently enrolled in Wireless AMBER Alerts will receive text messages about the transition and alternative sources for receiving AMBER Alerts.