AMBER Advocate Magazine

Issue 16

The 2010 National AMBER Alert Symposium takes place in Phoenix, Arizona under the theme “Be prepared.” A seven-year review of AMBER Alert plans reveals notable improvements, including more consistent activation criteria and enhanced alert dissemination methods, but also points out that many plans remain outdated since 2007 and lack details on after-action reports and training exercises. The symposium showcases emerging technologies such as smartphone applications and the upcoming transition to the Common Alert Protocol (CAP) for the Emergency Alert System, which will enable alerts to include audio, graphics, and text. The AMBER Alert Extranet is being replaced by the secure Criminal Justice Collaboration Portal, offering expanded tools and resources for AMBER Alert partners. The Child Abduction Response Team (CART) model continues to grow, with over 247 teams trained across 43 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Canada. A profile on Lt. Charles Fleeger, the 2010 AMBER Alert Coordinator of the Year, highlights his dedication to preparedness through the creation of the Texas Region 3 AMBER Alert Plan and the Brazos Valley Regional CART, both of which remain ready but unused. A front-line story recounts a successful three-state AMBER Alert that leads to the safe recovery of 8-year-old Elysha Shelton, abducted by her father in South Carolina and recognized by a nurse in Kentucky who saw the alert online. Mexico continues its efforts to build a seamless AMBER Alert network across North America through the Southern Border Initiative, with states like Baja California, Tamaulipas, and Nuevo León launching programs. The AMBER Alert in Indian Country Initiative also shows strong progress, having trained over 1,000 tribal officials and supported the development of programs in 32 tribal communities.

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