The Cherokee Indian Police Department in Cary, North Carolina, received an AMBER Alert in Indian Country (AIIC) Technology Toolkit that includes a computer, camera and other digital technology resources to help law enforcement officers and investigators in missing and abducted child cases. The Toolkit initiative is funded through AIIC work that is part of the Ashlynne Mike AMBER Alert in Indian Country Act. AATTAP Administrator Janell Rasmussen said the award recognizes the evolving cooperation between state and tribal agencies. “It’s unusual to see such a phenomenal partnership between a state agency and a Tribe, and there is great work being done here,” Rasmussen said.

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, sound and motion sensors, and other online technology. Authorities say the video cameras can scan for a license plate connected to an AMBER Alert and help recover missing and abducted children.

Rochester, New York, police issued an AMBER Alert on November 20, 2018, but people using one cell phone service provider did not receive it. The missing 18-month-old girl was later found safe and returned to her mother. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) said it was a technology glitch with a single provider that prevented people from receiving the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA). NCMEC suspects that in some cases, people did not get a good connection in their area or may have opted out of receiving the alerts.

AMBER Alert Europe launched a task force on January 29, 2018, with a mission for saving missing children. The task force includes experts from the Czech Republic, Malta, Poland, and the Netherlands. The task force provides a way to share information and best practices, network with colleagues across Europe and learn how to enhance their AMBER Alert systems.

“When a child goes missing, an AMBER Alert system connects police with the public through technology,” said Frank Hoen, founder of AMBER Alert Europe. “Since technology evolves so quickly, it is crucial that police keep up with the latest technological developments.”