What
is the AMBER Alert Plan?
The Statewide AMBER Alert Plan is a child abduction
emergency alert utilizing Web-based technology to notify citizens
of a child abduction. The alert provides details concerning the child
and the perpetrator (if known), including descriptive information.
Utilizing the combined power of technology, the media, law enforcement,
and the public, the ultimate goal of an AMBER Alert is to ensure the
safe return of the child.
The AMBER Alert Web Portal will use a geographic information
system to provide map-based search capabilities and convey location-based
information to the public. Law enforcement, media, and citizens will
have the option to choose to be notified of alerts and status updates
via e-mail, fax or phone, or other Web service notification methods
such as paging or personal digital assistants. Information on the
portal can be displayed in visual, text or audio format, for both
local and extended areas. In addition, the Department of Transportation
and Washington State Patrol work collaboratively to activate electronic
billboards throughout the state to alert citizens that a child has
been abducted.
Who
created the Statewide AMBER Alert Plan?
Stakeholders involved in the development of the Washington
State AMBER Alert Plan include the Washington State Patrol, Washington
Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, Washington State Association
of Broadcasters, Emergency Management Division, Department of Transportation,
Department of Information Services, and E2C (Engaging & Empowering
Citizenship/Earth 911). This strategic partnership developed a pilot
project in July 2003 to enhance the AMBER Alert Plan, allowing local
law enforcement agencies in cities and states with current AMBER Alert
activation capabilities to post up-to-date information about an abducted
child to a single AMBER Alert Web portal.
Who
activates an AMBER Alert?
Many law enforcement agencies throughout Washington
State have formulated AMBER Alert Plans. Once notified there has been
an abduction, they review the information relating to the abduction
to determine if certain criteria are met. Many factors determine whether
or not an actual AMBER Alert will occur, which include:
In the event a law enforcement agency does not have
an approved plan, they must utilize the resources of another law enforcement
agency with an approved plan to activate an AMBER Alert, or the Washington
State Patrol will assist them in activating an alert.
When an incident does not qualify under the criteria
for an AMBER Alert, the Washington State Patrol will offer press releases,
the WSP’s
Missing Children Clearinghouse, and other notification methods available at that time.
Then
what happens?
The Washington AMBER Alert Statewide Plan takes effect
when a law enforcement agency with an approved AMBER Alert Plan has
determined that the incident qualifies under the criteria of the Statewide
Plan. These law enforcement agencies initiate activation of the Emergency
Alert System and the AMBER Alert Web Portal. In the event a law enforcement
agency does not have an approved plan, they must utilize the resources
of another law enforcement agency with an approved plan to activate
an AMBER Alert, or the Washington State Patrol will assist them in
activating an alert.
What
is the AMBER Alert Web Portal?
The AMBER Alert Web Portal is a Web site offering a single location from
which the media, law enforcement, and the public can obtain current
AMBER Alert information on abducted children.
Various processes to disseminate the information effectively are activated.
Law enforcement, the media, and citizens can utilize the portal to
be notified of alerts and status updates via e-mail, phone, fax, or
other Web service notification methods (such as paging or personal
digital assistants).
How
does the Web Portal work?
Once a law enforcement agency has introduced the alert
information to the AMBER Alert Web Portal, it is available for viewing. The information
available on the Web Portal may include details concerning where the
abduction took place, specific physical description of the child and
abductor (if known), place last seen, description of the suspect vehicle,
photographs, etc.
What
if my child is missing?
Always call your local law enforcement to report a
missing child immediately. Additionally, you can review the AMBER
Alert Portal Web site at http://www.amberalert911.com/faq.php#missing
for further information about reporting a missing child.
Can
I do anything as a citizen to assist?
The assistance of our citizens cannot be understated.
Review what you can do during an AMBER Alert on the AMBER Alert Portal
Web site at http://www.amberalert911.com/faq.php#citizen.
What
about child abductions in other states?
As a result of a partnership between member states,
the
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the U.S. Department of Justice, procedures have been established to extend Washington State AMBER Alerts into other states, and to extend other
states’ AMBER Alerts into Washington State. These partnerships
work together to accept common AMBER Alert qualifying criteria.
AMBER Alert Review Committee members agree to promote
the AMBER Alert Web Portal for the state of Washington and to encourage
others to join the national AMBER Alert Web Portal Consortium (AAWPC)
for its use in neighboring states and across the nation. Review the
Memorandum of Understanding
to learn more about Washington State’s efforts to partner with
other states and across the nation to recover abducted children.
How
effective is this process?
To ensure the effectiveness of AMBER Alerts, an AMBER
Alert Review Committee reviews all alert activations and denials;
evaluates effectiveness and timeliness of key decisions, actions,
and results; and recommends policy and procedure improvements. Washington
stakeholders agree to work cooperatively to operate and manage the
Statewide Plan on an ongoing basis.
It is our goal to empower our citizens with information
relating to the cooperative effort of stakeholders in this process.
Read the AMBER Alert Review Committee
meeting minutes to view the latest information concerning these
efforts to enhance the AMBER Alert process.
What
about the future?
By January 1, 2005, all agencies without an approved
plan will develop a plan or have a mutual aid agreement in place with
an agency that has an approved plan. Currently, in the event a law
enforcement agency without a plan needs to activate an alert, they
contact the Washington State Patrol or an agency with an approved
plan to activate an AMBER Alert.
Who
do I contact if I have questions about an AMBER Alert?
Contact questions@wsp.wa.gov
or:
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What is the AMBER Alert Plan?