AMBER Alert Program
The AMBER Alert Program is a voluntary partnership between law-enforcement agencies, broadcasters, transportation agencies, and the wireless industry, to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child-abduction cases. The goal of an AMBER Alert is to instantly galvanize the entire community to assist in the search for and the safe recovery of the child.
AMBER Alerts are broadcast through radio, television, road signs and all available technology referred to as the AMBER Alert Secondary Distribution Program. These broadcasts let law enforcement use the eyes and ears of the public to help quickly locate an abducted child. The U.S. Department of Justice coordinates the AMBER Alert program on a national basis.
The AMBER Alert Program was named in honor of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman who was abducted while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas, and was later found murdered. The program is used in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Learn more about AMBER Alerts at www.amberalert.gov.
Successful Recoveries: 679 Updated January 3, 2014
Read AMBER Alert success stories at www.missingkids.com/AMBER/Success.
How do I receive AMBER Alerts?
When signing up for AMBER Alerts you will receive geographically targeted information to help identify an abducted child, a suspected abductor or a vehicle suspected to be involved in an abduction.
Sign up at www.missingkids.com/AmberSignUp.
For information about how AMBER Alerts are distributed to cell phones visit www.missingkids.com/AMBER/WEA.
Resources
State AMBER Alert Contacts Map of AMBER Alert Plans DOJ AMBER Alert Training
AMBER Alert reports
These reports present an analysis of AMBER Alert cases during the reporting year. The AMBER Alert cases may involve one or more children and be issued on a statewide, regional or local level.
2012 AMBER Alert Report 2011 AMBER Alert Report 2010 AMBER Alert Report 2009 AMBER Alert Report 2008 AMBER Alert Report 2007 AMBER Alert Report 2006 AMBER Alert Report 2005 AMBER Alert ReportInternational AMBER Alert programs
Countries around the world followed the success of AMBER Alerts in the U.S. and created similar alert systems. Each country adapted the system to fit their own needs and requirements but the goal remains the same — use the eyes and ears of the public to help recover a child who is in immediate danger.
Below is a list of countries with an alert program in place. This is not an exhaustive list and other countries may have similar programs in place.
| Location | Area | Implemented | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Queensland Territory | 2003 | Child Abduction Alert |
| Belgium | National | 2011 | Child Alert |
| Canada | Each province has a program | 2002 and 2003 | AMBER Alert |
| Czech Republic | National | 2009 | Dítě v ohrožení |
| France | National | 2006 | Alert Enlèvement |
| Greece | National | 2007 | AMBER Alert |
| Guatemala | National | 2010 | Alba-Kenneth Alert |
| Malaysia | National | 2007 | Nurin Alert |
| Mexico | National | 2011 | Alerta AMBER Mexico |
| Netherlands | National | 2008 | AMBER Alert |
| Portugal | National | 2009 | Alerta de rapto de menores |
| Romania | National | 2011 | Alertă Răpire Copil |
| South Korea | National | 2011 | AMBER Alert |
| Switzerland | National | 2010 | Alert Enlèvement |
| UK | National | 2006 | Child Rescue Alert |
For more information about international AMBER Alert programs contact the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children® at information@icmec.org or 703-837-6313.
