AMBER Advocate Magazine

Issue 18

A rare four-state AMBER Alert is issued for a suspect who murders three people and abducts his girlfriend and their infant son. The alert succeeds thanks to strong relationships and direct communication among coordinators in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. New York AMBER Alert Coordinator Gary Kelly emphasizes that connections built at the National AMBER Alert Symposium are critical, allowing coordinators to bypass formal channels and save valuable time. States continue expanding their alert systems “beyond AMBER” to address other public safety threats. The Blue Alert system, now active in Texas and Utah, notifies the public when a law enforcement officer is killed or seriously injured; Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff notes its importance in protecting both the public and officers. The Endangered Missing Advisory (EMA), used in 39 states for cases that don’t meet AMBER Alert criteria, is supported by a Department of Justice guide to help states develop their plans. The Criminal Justice Collaboration Portal replaces the AMBER Alert Extranet, offering a secure platform for partners to collaborate and access training and resources. Mexico integrates its AMBER Alert program, Alerta AMBER México, with anti-human trafficking efforts, including a major sweep in Juárez that rescues 20 female minors. In Canada, training sessions explore the role of social media in AMBER Alerts, referencing the case of 3-year-old Kienan Hebert, who is found safe after being abducted. New York also introduces the Gold Alert system to help locate missing vulnerable adults.

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