Issue 52

The final 2022 issue of The AMBER Advocate features the work of an Arizona Child Abduction Response Team that exemplifies the value of a well-structured, well-sustained CART. Our “Front Lines” story details the power of an “SOS” social media post in alerting law enforcement about two abducted Texas teens. Then meet Steve Benefield, the new Emergency Alert Coordinator for the Texas Center for the Missing, who was able to hit the ground running with help from his dynamic predecessor, Denise O’Leary. Finally, get updated on AMBER Alert and other endangered missing persons-related work underway across the U.S., in Indian Country, and internationally.

For the best viewing of this file, ensure your browser and PDF viewer are updated to the latest versions.

Download PDF

Features

Driven to Succeed

An Arizona Child Abduction Response Team leader weighs in on the value of a well-structured, outfitted, and sustained CART.

On the Front Lines: Social Media SOS

Two abducted Texas teens are [..]

Faces of the AMBER Alert Network: Texas

Texas Center for the Missing's [..]

CART Readiness? Check.

A Child Abduction Response Team leader provides key questions to ask before forming a CART or deploying one.

TRAINING SPOTLIGHT: Teamwork in Action

NCJTC Associate Tony Rodarte reflects on the power of Child Abduction Response Teams (CARTs) and teaching a well-received CART class in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

U.S. HOUSE APPROVES ACTIVE SHOOTER ALERT SYSTEM

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill in July to establish an AMBER Alert-style system to warn the public about active shooter incidents. The bill’s supporters hope the alerts will protect the public during mass shootings. The bill now needs approval from the U.S. Senate.

MORE STATES USING ALERTS FOR HIT-AND-RUN DRIVERS

Starting in January 2023, California will begin issuing Yellow Alerts to notify the public and help law enforcement find hit-and-run drivers. If police have a complete or partial license plate number and description of the vehicle, the information can be flashed on highway message signs in the area and sent to the media. Colorado and Maryland already use similar alerts for hit-and-run crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports a 26 percent increase in hit-and-run fatalities – from 2,037 in 2019 to 2,564 in 2020.

CALIFORNIA SALUTES 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS AMBER ALERT SYSTEM

Since launching its AMBER Alert system in July 2002, California has helped return 376 missing or abducted children to their families. The state issued its first alert a month after its inception and rescued two teen girls from a suspect who later died in a gun battle. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) recognized the 20th anniversary of the child abduction alerts at a press event. “We are so successful because we are all caretakers in our community,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray.

MARYLAND STARTS ‘EMMETT TILL ALERT’ FOR HATE CRIMES

Maryland leaders will now be notified of hate crimes with an “Emmett Till Alert.” The alert is named after the 14-year-old Black boy who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955 for allegedly whistling at a White woman. Pictures of Till’s open casket helped transform the nation’s civil rights movement. Currently, the new alert will notify 167 key civil rights and community leaders of any racial incident or hate crime. The alerts have three levels: low, medium, and high. The highest level means there is a high possibility of violence or death.

Indian Country Briefs

Canada public safety minister addresses AMBER Alerts for tribal members

Canadian Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino said more dialogue is needed to find out if enough is being done when a First Nation member goes missing. Tribal leaders have been critical after AMBER Alerts were not issued in two cases involving indigenous children. “At a minimum, there should be dialogue about whether the criteria [for AMBER Alerts] are providing as much support as is needed in those very early and fragile moments, when every minute can make a difference,” he said.

Mendicino has been meeting with indigenous political and law enforcement leaders about efforts to protect First Nation members.

Canadian indigenous organization issues first alert for missing woman and son

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) issued a missing person alert after an indigenous woman and her 7-year-old son went missing July 24, 2022, in Saskatchewan, Canada. Both were found in Oregon August 5. Dawn Walker is now facing charges of parental abduction and public mischief. Several First Nation women, however, say Walker was fleeing from domestic violence. “Until you walk the mile in the shoes of women who have to protect their children or themselves, you have no room to talk,” said Mary Culbertson, Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan. The FSIN declined to comment.

California considers ‘Feather Alert’ for indigenous missing

A California lawmaker is proposing a “Feather Alert” that would notify the public when indigenous people go missing under certain circumstances. Assembly member James C. Ramos said the alert would be activated through California’s AMBER Alert system and would be similar to the state’s Endangered Missing Advisory. “This bill brings further attention and effort to end violence on tribal lands and across the state,” Ramos said.

The bill is co-sponsored by the Yurok, California’s largest tribe, in Northern California. On July 1, 2022, a bill in Washington State created the first statewide emergency alert system for missing indigenous people. Similarly, Colorado passed a bill in June that created the Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives, tasked with creating an indigenous alert system. “It is a top priority for us to make change and not just talk about it; this creates action through legislation,” Yurok Tribal Chairman Joe James told The Press Democrat.

According to the Sovereign Bodies Institute and Yurok Tribal Court, Northern California has 107 missing and murdered indigenous women. In 2016, the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) tracked more than 5,700 missing indigenous women and girls – but according to the Urban Indian Health Institute, only 116 were reported in U.S. Department of Justice statistics.

International Briefs

Bahamas issues first ‘Marco Alert’ for missing child

The Bahamas initiated its first “Marco Alert” for a missing 17-year-old girl in July 2022. Marco is an acronym for Mandatory Action Rescuing Children in Operation. Bahamian officials said some mistakes were made while issuing the alert and a review will be done to improve future efforts to find missing children.

AMBER Alert Europe releases annual report

Nigeria using Facebook to deter child trafficking

Nigeria is now using the social media reach of Facebook to curb online child trafficking and the buying and selling of children. The African country is working with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to utilize Facebook for protecting children, including posting AMBER Alerts. “Over 40 percent of victims are now recruited online, and this has raised concerns considering the impact of the social media on our children,” said Amarachi Kene-Okafor with the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour.

New UK website to help families of missing persons

Families in the United Kingdom have a new resource to help them deal with all the issues they need to face when a family member goes missing. The Missing Persons Information Hub provides information and organizations that can help families with a missing loved one. Missing persons expert Charlie Hedges created the website and has received support from AMBER Alert Europe, the Alzheimer’s Society, several universities, and other missing person organizations. Hedges said he wanted to offer something simple for families in crisis. Though he has been dedicated to missing persons work for more than 25 years, “due to its complexities, I still find it hard to find what I am looking for,” he explained.

AMBER Advocate Magazine