Digital Kidnapping
Meredith Steele emphasizes the importance of keeping your children’s pictures private on social media. (Credit: Meredith Steele/SWNS)
Amber Alerts are displayed on phone screens, highway signs, and broadcasts when a child is abducted.
Certain requirements need to be met for an Amber Alert to be issued, so receiving one indicates an extremely serious situation.
If you have ever received an Amber Alert notification, you might have been unsure about how to help and what steps to take next.
PARENTS ARE WARNED CHILD KIDNAPPINGS ARE MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR DURING THESE SPECIFIC TIMES OF DAY
Here is an overview of what to do if you receive an Amber Alert, along with some background information on the emergency system.
Consider the following points:
One place where Amber Alerts can be seen is on highway signs. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
- Why is it called an Amber Alert?
- Which states receive the most Amber Alerts?
- What should I do when I receive an Amber Alert?
1. Why is it called an Amber Alert?
The Amber Alert system has been in place since 1996.
It stands for America’s Broadcast Emergency Response and is named after Amber Hagerman.
Amber Hagerman was kidnapped while riding her bike in Arlington, Texas, in 1996. Unfortunately, her body was discovered in a creek four days after her abduction. The perpetrator has yet to be apprehended, and this incident prompted the implementation of the Amber Alert system.
Specific requirements must be met for authorities to issue an Amber Alert. (PASCAL ROSSIGNOL/AFP via Getty Images)
2. Which states receive the most Amber Alerts?
Texas, the state where the incident that inspired the Amber Alert took place, consistently receives the most alerts year after year.
In 2021, the Office of Justice Programs reported 33 alerts in Texas.
3. What should I do when I receive an Amber Alert?
Receiving an Amber Alert indicates that a child in your area is in danger, and it is crucial to respond promptly.
Certain requirements must be met before an Amber Alert can be issued.
First, law enforcement must determine that a child has been abducted and that the child is at risk of serious injury or death.
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Law enforcement also needs a detailed description of the at-risk child and the abductor or their vehicle to issue an Amber Alert.
Lastly, Amber Alerts are only issued for abducted children under the age of 17.
When you receive an Amber Alert on your phone, carefully read the description and remain vigilant in your surroundings. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
An Amber Alert is commonly disseminated through cell phones, broadcast networks, and highway signs. Take the time to read and understand the information provided by law enforcement if you come across an Amber Alert.
Keep the descriptions in mind and be observant.
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If you are out and encounter a vehicle or individual matching the description in the Amber Alert, immediately call 911 or the number provided in the alert. Provide as much detail as possible about what you witnessed.
Any information you can provide may save a child’s life.
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