Some of you may have noticed already our new ticker displayed on the forum, I'm happy to announce that Global Paw is now participating in Code Amber and if your not already aware of what exactly it is please read on.
The AMBER Plan is a voluntary partnership between law-enforcement agencies and broadcasters to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child-abduction cases within the United States and many other participating agencies throughout the world.
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 instantly galvanize the entire community to assist in the search for and safe return of the child.
What is an Amber Alert?
Each program establishes its own AMBER Plan criteria; however, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children suggests three criteria that should be met before an Alert is activated.
Law enforcement confirms a child has been abducted.
Law enforcement believes the circumstances surrounding the abduction indicate that the child is 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.
If these criteria are met, alert information must be put together for public distribution. This information can include descriptions and pictures of the missing child, the suspected abductor, a suspected vehicle, and any other information available and valuable to identifying the child and suspect.
How does it work?
Upon receipt of an Amber Alert from Law Enforcement Authorities anywhere in the world, day or night, the CodeAmber ticker will be updated immediately on our server.
During an Amber Alert all of the relevant details provided by the reporting Authority will be scrolled in the Code Amber ticker window. The ticker will turn yellow during an alert.
The information will include the location of the abduction and contact information for the reporting Authority as well as links (if available) to images of the abductee, suspect composites and any other details provided by the reporting Authority.
**Edited to add - I have personally been involved in the activation of an Amber Alert and can testify to not only how wonderful this program is but just how very helpful it can be in locating a missing child. If your local law enforcement agencies are not currently using Code Amber and you would like more information about how to get this wonderful program started in your own area please, feel free to PM me at any time. **