	How Amber Alerts Work

Amber Alerts (also referred to as AMBER ) use technology to disseminate information about child abductions in a timely manner. Research has found that most abducted children murdered by their kidnappers are killed within three hours of the abduction. Prompt response to child abductions is therefore deemed critical by many. A number of counties and cities have Amber Alert programs that notify local residents using e-mail or telephone alert systems to aid in the recovery of abducted children. Alerts can also be sent by text messages to cell phones and other wireless devices. Emergency Alert System (EAS)

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is jointly administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in cooperation with the National Weather Service (NWS), an organization within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).The EAS sends emergency messages with the cooperation of broadcast radio and television and most cable television stations. Congress has encouraged federal support for other alert programs as well. The Office of Justice Programs, at the Department of Justice, includes an Amber Alert division, the National AMBER Alert Initiative. Kristen's Act authorized the Attorney General to make grants to public agencies or not-for-profit organizations to perform these functions:
to assist law enforcement and families in locating missing adults; to maintain a national, interconnected database for the purpose of tracking missing adults who are determined by law enforcement to be endangered due to age, diminished mental capacity, or the circumstances of disappearance, when foul play is suspected or circumstances are unknown; to maintain statistical information of adults reported as missing; to provide informational resources and referrals to families of missing adults; to assist in public notification and victim advocacy related to missing adults; and to establish and maintain a national clearinghouse for missing adults. State Initiatives

All 50 states operate Amber Alert programs for missing children. Many states have extended their Amber Alert programs to include missing adults or participate in other alert programs. Silver Alert programs, for example, are operated for the benefit of those with Alzheimer's Disease and other cognitive impairments. One of the new alert technologies that will use the gateway is the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS). Another investment in emergency communications infrastructure that will likely benefit Amber Alerts and similar programs is for the transition to Internet protocols in 911 call centers and networks. The scope of the plan, however, may not be wide enough to include the type of technology-policy decisions that would ensure that all facets of emergency communications are developed in concert.
Amber Alerts (also referred to as AMBER plans) were created to disseminate information about child abductions in a timely manner. Research has found that most abducted children murdered by their kidnappers are killed within three hours of the abduction. Prompt response to child abductions is therefore deemed critical by many. Amber Alert plans are voluntary partnerships including law enforcement agencies, highway departments, and companies that support emergency alerts. Technologies used for alerts include the Emergency Alert System (EAS), highway message boards, telephone alert systems, the Internet, text messaging, and e-mail. All 50 states have statewide Amber Alert programs.
Because kidnappers can cross state lines with their victims, the Department of Justice will often be involved in responding to an abduction. For this and other reasons, there is increased federal involvement in and support of Amber Alert plans. The National Center for Missing Adults is another example of an alert program that receives support from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Amber Alert and related technologies are in place for other at-risk programs as well. For example, a number of states have created Silver Alert programs to assist in locating missing adults with cognitive impairments.
Government, non-profit, and volunteer programs use alert technologies as tools to meet their larger goals. Participants choose among the tools available to them. From the perspective of technology policy, more thought might be given by the various program managers, and policy-makers in general, as to how to ensure that the development paths of these technologies mesh. Ideally program alerts should be interoperable – able to exchange information seamlessly across different systems. Planning for state and national emergency alert systems might provide gateways that would ensure access for alerts from all certified programs. Among the new systems being developed, with federal support, that could provide such gateways are the Commercial Mobile Alert System, for cell phone alerts, and new networks using Internet protocols to support 911 call center and other non-commercial communications needs.