Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
January 13, 2012
Contact:
Captain Steve Sutton
Phone:
(360) 704-2400
E-mail:
Steve.Sutton@wsp.wa.gov
Governor Gregoire Declares January 13th AMBER Alert Day
- AMBER Alert E-mails Aid Law Enforcement -
Olympia -- Governor Chris Gregoire declared January 13th as AMBER Alert Day to promote citizen participation in this valuable tool for locating abducted children.
“Every second counts when a child is abducted,” Gregoire said. “We must quickly notify the public about an abduction, to improve our chances of capturing the perpetrator and recovering that child unharmed. Mobilizing the public’s eyes and ears can make a difference when a child’s life is at stake.”
The AMBER Alert plan was created in memory of nine-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was kidnapped and brutally murdered on this date in 1996 while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas. Since then, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have created plans of their own.
“In an abduction, time is our enemy,” said Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste. “Getting the public looking for a suspect or a vehicle is the best way to rescue the child before further harm can occur.”
Washington broadcasters, law enforcement and state agencies partnered to develop the first statewide Amber Alert plan in 2004, which was updated in 2010. Citizens, local law enforcement agencies and the media receive e-mail alerts, text messages or faxes so word goes out as quickly as possible. The alerts can be sent to mobile phones and pagers if the recipient desires that.
Amber Alerts in Washington can be activated by law enforcement agencies when they believe an abducted child under 18 is in danger of injury or death.
Governor Gregoire urges interested citizens to sign up for the alerts by going to http://www.washingtonamberalert.com/.