WHAT IS AN AMBER ALERT?

The AMBER ALERT is named for a 9-year-old girl kidnapped and later found dead. In response to that tragedy, radio stations agreed to repeat news bulletins about abducted children, hoping that the bulletins might help save the life of a child.

The name now stands for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response.

Once law enforcement officials confirm a missing child report, an Amber Alert is sent to radio stations, television stations, and cable companies, and can be text messaged without charges to some wireless telephone subscribers. Broadcasters interrupt programming to relay the information using the EAS to voluntarily deliver the information to the community - the same concept that is used during severe weather or national emergencies. A description of the abducted child, suspected abductor, and details of the abduction are broadcast to millions of listeners and viewers. (The Alert is read after a distinctive sound tone and the announcement: "This is an AMBER Alert.") The Alert also provides information about how members of the public who have information relating to the abduction may contact the police or other appropriate law enforcement agency.

The goal of AMBER Alerts is to galvanize an entire community, adding millions of extra eyes and ears to watch, listen, and help in the safe return of the child and apprehension of the suspect.

Law enforcement officials will activate an AMBER Alert if:

• They believe an abduction has occurred and the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.

• They have enough descriptive information about the victim and the abduction for an AMBER Alert to assist in the recovery of the child.

• The abduction is of a child age 17 years or  younger.

For more information, visit these sites:

             http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/AMBERPlan.html         

             http://www.missingkids.com/