What Is An Amber Alert?

The Amber Alert was created a decade ago in the United States following the brutal kidnapping and murder of nine-year-old Amber Hagerman (left).

The girl’s death prompted the residents and authorities in her home of Arlington, Texas to come up with a way to prevent similar crimes against children from occurring and they created America’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response program.

The system has been in place in Ontario for more than four years. Police say they issue about five alerts annually across the province, and each time, they say all children have been found safely.

What Is An Amber Alert?

It’s a warning system that involves authorities, the Ontario Association of Broadcasters and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

The program is used to alert the public of child abductions where police believe the child is in danger.

When a law enforcement agency activates the clarion call, the names, descriptions of the child, their alleged abductor, and the suspect’s vehicle are broadcast on radio and television, and are posted on screens at gas stations and on electronic billboards on highways.

The Amber Alert is not intended for use in parental abductions, but will be issued if authorities believe the child’s life is in danger.

How Effective Is It?

In child abductions, the early stage of the investigation is critical and information obtained through the Amber Alert can help authorities find kids quickly.

The warning also acts as a deterrent to potential kidnappers, sending a message that crimes against children are intolerable.

What Are The Criteria?

-Law enforcement agency confirms a child under 18 years of age has been abducted

-Law enforcement agency believes the circumstances surrounding the abduction indicate that the child is in danger of serious bodily harm or death

-There’s enough descriptive information about the child, abductor, and/or suspect’s vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will help in locating the child.