States' Strategies
For Missing Children
Each state is invited to submit their strategies for quickly finding missing children, and we will post them here. Law Enforcement's rapid response is making a real difference in locating kidnaped children.
In 2002, there are 41 state strategies. Many are using the impending storm strategy plan. Within 2 hours, frequent alerts are made via radio, TV, and in some states on highway electronic signs.
Texas — Amber Alert
Nine-year-old Amber was sexually abused and murdered, but it was discovered that she lived for a number of hours after being taken. Now TV and radio, in a cooperative effort with law enforcement, interrupts programming as soon as police have a confirmed abduction or have valid reason to believe a child is at risk. They call it The Amber Alert.
"The Amber Alert is resulting in an increasing number of saves," reports Dallas Assistant Chief of Police Marlin Price, "and the book A Stranger in the Park is an excellent instructional tool for children."
California uses the Amber Alert and in mid-2002 it saved two abducted. teenagers.
Utah — Rachael Alert
Utah uses the Rachael Alert, named after a 3-year-old who was abducted and killed in1982. And after the Elizabeth Smart kidnaping gained widespread national media attention, officials realized the great help such far-reaching coverage could bring to a missing child, including photos, facts, contact numbers, etc. A new emphasis and cooperative effort from the media are making a difference.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported on August 23, 2002 that the state is expanding abduction alerts. Motorists and long-haul truckers on Utah roads will be immediately notified of child abductions under an expanded Rachael Alert system, stated the state Attorney General's office. Details of child abduction will be posted on 61 electronic road signs. Highway radio advisories will be used, along with Web site and e-mail alerts through UDOT's Commuter-Link system. The Utah Trucking Association has agreed to use dispatch centers to distribute abduction info to 80% of truckers within the state. The Utah Department of Public Safety is developing a way to send abduction details to Utah ports of entry. The Bureau of Criminal Identification will help by using a computer system to swiftly create and produce thousands of flyers. Within minutes of receiving alert e-mails, TV & radio stations broadcast the information.
Internet
Sites Supporting Children's Safety: http://www.ncmec.org/
http://www.child.net/missing.htm
http://childsearch.org/
Click on
the logo to go to their site.