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WHAT IS THE AMBER ALERT PLAN??
AMBER stands for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response. The AMBER Alert is a vital missing child response system that combines the resources of law enforcement and media to inform the public of an abduction. Today, 49 states have adopted an AMBER Alert plan. An AMBER Alert can be issued if:
-The child is under 18
-There is reasonable belief that an abduction has occurred
-Law enforcement believes the child is in imminent danger
-There is ample descriptive information about the child and the abduction
When law enforcement issues an AMBER Alert, Radio and Television Stations are asked to interrupt regularly scheduled programming to let viewers know that a child has been kidnapped. Broadcasters include descriptive information of the child, abductor, vehicle, or accomplices in their announcement. Changeable roadway signs are also activated to inform motorists of an abduction.
AMBER Alerts aid in the safe recovery of an abducted child by sending out immediate, up-to-date information to the public. Prompted by the kidnapping and murder of 9 year-old Amber Hagerman in 1996, the plan promotes awareness about an abduction and seeks to speed the safe recovery of abducted children. AMBER Alert is an effective time critical response to kidnappers. Already, 161 children have been recovered. In these cases, the public recognized the description of the people or vehicles involved or the abductor heard the message and released the child. If an AMBER Alert is issued in your community, be alert. You could save a child's life.
RESOURCES
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is responsible for protecting and defending Americans as well as upholding and enforcing the criminal laws of the United States. To find out more about how they recommend protecting your child against abduction, visit: www.fbi.gov/kids/k5th/safety3.htm
The FBI recommends that parents should refer to the FBI publication "Parent's Guide to Internet Safety", which is available on our www.fbi.gov web site, to protect their children from Internet-related abductions.
The FBI officially recommends that the public refer to the www.ncmec.org for other abduction-prevention reading material.
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist crime victims. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) is one of the five OJP component bureaus. For more information on the AMBER Alert program, visit www.amberalert.gov and for information on OJJDP's Child Protection Division, visit www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is a private, non-profit organization that provides assistance to families, law enforcement, and organizations to help find missing children, combat child sexual exploitation, and promote child victimization prevention education. For more information, visit www.missingkids.com
Special thanks to the FBI's Agent Fennerty and Public Affairs Specialist Michelle Goldschen, as well as Michele Laure, who was an important catalyst to this project!
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