Alaska's Amber Alert Plan
The Alaska AMBER Alert Plan is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement agencies, broadcasters and transportation agencies to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious of child-abduction cases. Statistics show that the first few hours after a child abduction are critical to the outcome of the case. According to a study by the United States Department of Justice, three quarters of the children who are kidnapped and later found murdered were killed within the first three hours after being taken.
After the Law Enforcement agency determines that the information on a missing child meets the criteria for an Amber Alert, they issue an EAS code event with information on the abduction. TV and Radio Broadcasters then interrupt their regular programming to continue to air a description and or photo of the abducted child and suspected abductor. Highway road signs will also activate at this time.
The goal of the Alaska AMBER Alert Plan is to instantly galvanize the entire state to assist in the search for and safe return of the child. You can now sign up to receive free wireless text messages when am AMBER Alert is issued.
EMail Notification
If you would like to receive an email notification when an Amber Alert is issued, you can subscribe to the
NEW!!!!!!!
Opt in to receive Wireless AMBER Alerts as text messages on your cell phone! This free public service is offered in partnership by The Wireless Foundation, the membership of CTIA-The Wireless Association® and the U.S. Department of Justice to deliver AMBER Alerts.
Sign up now at www.wirelessamberalerts.org
Activation Criteria for Alaska
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The abduction involves a child or children under 18 years of age, or someone with a known mental or physical disability; and
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Local law enforcement is reasonably certain that an abduction has occurred and the victim is believed to be in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death;
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Enough descriptive information is available about: the victim; the suspect; and/or the suspect’s vehicle to assist with the safe recovery of the victim and/or the apprehension of the suspect; and,
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Information on the abduction has been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and flagged as a Child Abduction (CA) or AMBER Alert (AA).
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AMBER Alerts will NOT be used for Runaways or Family Abductions unless investigation determines that the victim’s life is in immediate danger.
The AMBER (America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) Alert Plan was created as a powerful legacy to 9 year-old Amber Hagerman who was kidnapped and murdered in Arlington, Texas. As a result of Amber’s murder, the Dallas/Fort Worth Association of Radio Managers teamed up with local law enforcement in northern Texas and developed this innovative early warning system to help find abducted children. Already the AMBER Plan has assisted in the speedy recovery of a number of children.
| AMBER Plan Statistics | |
| Successful Recoveries... | 399 |
| Total Plans Nationwide... | 120 |
| Statewide................. | 53 |
| Regional................... | 29 |
| Local........................ | 38 |
As of May 30, 2008.