Issue 45

This issue highlights how the AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Program adapts to the COVID-19 pandemic by launching virtual, instructor-led training courses through platforms like Zoom, offering interactive learning for child protection professionals. A front-lines story from Utah details the safe recovery of an abducted infant, thanks to two sisters who responded to a Wireless Emergency Alert and heard a baby crying nearby. The Utah Department of Public Safety’s updated alert plan and WEA system play a key role in the rescue. Pennsylvania’s AMBER Alert Coordinator, Corporal Shawn Kofluk, emphasizes the importance of monthly training and mock alerts. Coordinators Christopher Minek of Ohio and Joshua Kean of New York are profiled for their work on family feedback and regional alert reviews. Briefs include Kentucky’s new law for rapid missing person notifications, Florida’s clickable alerts, Pennsylvania’s “Jay Alert” for hit-and-runs, and the Navajo Nation’s first independent AMBER Alert. Texas lawmakers consider new alerts for mass shootings and missing military members, while international updates include Finland joining AMBER Alert Europe’s expert network and the Netherlands launching a “Ride to Find” campaign using food couriers to distribute missing persons posters.

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Features

AMBER Alert Training During Covid-19

AATTAP offers virtual, instructor-led live training through virtual platforms to ensure child protection professionals’ needs are served.

Breesha Spratley is reunited with her daughter, Amila Spratley-Apke

AMBER Alert on the Front Lines: Utah

It took only moments for [..]

Faces of the AMBER Alert Network: Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania AMBER Alert Coordinator focuses [..]

AMBER Alert in Indian Country: Issue 1 2021

“Thankfully, we were prepared.” On Nov. 25, 2020, the Navajo Nation AMBER Alert faced its first real test—and aced it. The AMBER Alert led to two young sisters being safely returned to their home in northwest New Mexico, and that left Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management Harlan Cleveland breathing yet another sigh of relief. […]

Pennsylvania Lawmaker Seeks ‘Jay Alert’ System for Hit-and-Runs

A Pennsylvania state legislator wants to crack down on hit-and-runs by creating a “Jay Alert” which would notify body shops after an incident occurs. Pennsylvania...

Florida Now Has ‘Clickable’ AMBER Alerts

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement can now issue AMBER Alerts with clickable links to photos and information about an abducted child. The links are...

Tennessee Legislators Consider ‘Evelyn’s Law’ to Help Missing Children

Tennessee lawmakers are considering a bill that will require parents to immediately notify law enforcement within 48 hours if a child goes missing. “Evelyn’s Law”...

Congress Considers Bill Aiming to Expand Emergency Alerts

Federal legislators are being asked to pass the Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement (READ) Act so more people will receive emergency alerts. The bill will...

NCMEC Begins Using New Notification Software for AMBER Alerts

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is now using a new software provider to send out Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) for the AMBER...

Las Vegas Bets AMBER Alerts Will Be More Effective by Becoming a ‘Smart City’

Las Vegas has installed 123 miles of fiber-optic cable to support the infrastructure needs to become a “smart city.” The system includes high-definition video cameras,...

Victim’s Family Seeks a ‘Quawan Alert’ for Missing Children in Louisiana

The family of a murdered 15-year-old boy wants Louisiana to create a “Quawan Alert,” to notify the public as soon as a child goes missing....

Hacker Claims Access to U.S. and Canada Emergency Alert Systems

A U.S. hacker asserts he can break into the U.S. and Canadian Emergency Alert Systems and claims he could send a nationwide message through both...

AMBER Alert Europe Teams With Organization Advocating for Child Sex Abuse Victims

AMBER Alert Europe is now partnering with the WePROTECT Global Alliance, an international organization working to stop child sexual abuse and exploitation. The partnership follows...

Digital Conference Trains European Officers on Missing Persons Cases

Slovenia hosted a digital conference on missing persons cases for PEN-MP officers on November 3, 2020. Law enforcement officers shared a missing person case in...

European Missing Persons Organization Membership Grows, Undertakes Long-Term Missing Cases

The Police Expert Network on Missing Persons (PEN-MP) in Europe has grown to include more than 80 members in 30 countries. The network is part...

Canada Continues to Test Its Emergency Alert System

The Canadian Emergency Alert System was tested again on November 25, 2020, to make sure the emergency alerts are effectively reaching cellphones, radio, and TV...

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