Introduction & History <<
How it Works
How To Initiate An Alert
Tips For Parents
Safety Tips For Kids
Frequent Questions
AMBER Alert Partners

Bookmark
This Page

---

View Current Alerts Here Washington AMBER Portal

This site is dedicated to law enforcement, the media, and the public to heighten awareness of the AMBER Alert process. It provides detailed information concerning what the state of Washington is doing collaboratively with stakeholders in the development and ongoing enhancement of an effective AMBER Alert Plan. Through the united efforts of the media, law enforcement, state agencies, our citizens, and technology, our goal is to bring about the safe return of our nation’s abducted children.

History of the AMBER Alert Plan

---

The AMBER Alert plan is named after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman of Arlington, Texas. In January 1996, she was abducted while riding her bicycle and was brutally murdered. While the details of the suspect were provided to the police, there was no system to quickly inform the community about Amber’s disappearance. Through significant community effort, local media was asked to devise a plan to immediately broadcast abduction information. In remembrance of Amber, her name became the nationally recognized acronym for the AMBER Alert (America’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response).

In April 2003, the state of Washington announced plans for a pilot project to test the viability of a multi-state AMBER Alert Web portal, offering a single location from which the media, law enforcement, and the public can obtain current AMBER Alerts on abducted children, regardless of the jurisdiction posting the information. The Washington State Department of Information Services, the Washington State Patrol, the state’s Emergency Management Division, the Washington State Department of Transportation, the Washington State Association of Broadcasters, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, and E2C (Engaging & Empowering Citizenship)/Earth 911 created the strategic partnership to develop the pilot project.