Texas DPS highlights AMBER Alert program on National AMBER Alert Day

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding citizens about the importance of the AMBER Alert program in observance of National AMBER Alert Day.

An AMBER Alert is a communication to the general public about a missing child. Those who receive the notification are asked by DPS to take time to read and digest the information and any descriptors. They should always stay aware of their surroundings, be aware of any possible description matches, and immediately call 911 if there is information to share with law enforcement.

“When an AMBER Alert is issued, it sets an immediate and unified response into motion,” said Homeland Security Division Chief Gerald Brown. “The coordination between local, state and federal partners is critical and DPS works closely with each of them to share information quickly, mobilize resources and ensure every effort is aligned towards bringing your loved one home safely.”

The America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response Alert (AMBER Alert) system was officially established by Texas legislature in 2003. When the required activation criteria have been met, an alert is issued through outlets such as TV, radios, highway signs, and mobile devices to notify the public of a missing child and generate leads for law enforcement. The alert remains active until an authorized requester asks that it be discontinued.

The program and its name were established out of the Dallas/Fort Worth area in honor of nine-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was abducted 30 years ago in 1996 while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas. She was found murdered four days later in a creek only a few miles from her home.

The AMBER Alert system is part of the larger Statewide Alert System which encompasses Silver, Blue, Endangered Missing Persons, CLEAR, Power Outage, and Active Shooter alerts. They are meant to warn the public of possible danger for themselves or a missing person, as well as generate leads for investigators.

For more information on the AMBER Alert program and the Statewide Alert program, visit Texas DPS’s website.