Amber Alert
The AMBERAlert Plan is a critical missing child response program that utilizes the resources of law enforcement and media to notify the public when children are kidnapped. Statistics consistently show that time is our greatest adversary when a child is abducted.
The AMBER Alert Plan is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement agencies and broadcasters to disseminate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child abduction cases.
Law enforcement and broadcasters use the Emergency Alert System (EAS), formerly called the Emergency Broadcast System, to air a description of the missing child and suspected abductor. This is the same concept used during severe weather emergencies. The goal of the AMBER Alert is to promptly involve entire communities to assist in the search for and safe return of abducted children.
Once law enforcement has been notified about an abducted child, they must first determine if the case meets the criteria for triggering an alert. Local and state programs establish specific criteria. Oregon´s criteria is listed below:
- Law enforcement confirms a child has been abducted
- The child is 17 years or younger*
- The child may be in danger of serious bodily harm or death
- There is enough descriptive information about the child, abductor, and/or suspect´s vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will help.
* This alert system is not to be used when a child runs away or involves a custodial situation.
