AMBER Advocate Magazine

Issue 44

This issue highlights California’s efforts to modernize its AMBER Alert system through “California AMBER Alert 2.0,” led by Co-Coordinator Ed Bertola, who focuses on improving public engagement. The California Highway Patrol now includes shortened URLs in Wireless Emergency Alerts that link to Twitter flyers with child photos, boosting click-through rates to 98.7% and cutting alert durations by over half. A front-lines story from Georgia details the safe recovery of a child abducted at gunpoint, thanks to Levi’s Call and a tip from a state trooper. Chamblee Police Chief Kerry Thomas credits technology like license plate readers for the success. Shelly Smitherman of Tennessee is profiled for her leadership and commitment to training and collaboration. The Utah Legislature forms a task force to study missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Internationally, the Netherlands launches a “Ride to Find” campaign using food couriers to deliver missing persons posters, and Finland’s National Police joins AMBER Alert Europe’s expert network to support cross-border cases.

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