What is the Amber alert?

Answer 1

The Amber Alert is an alert that goes out over the radio, television, and on most major freeway billboards when a child is reported missing in any given state.

An Amber Alert is an immediate National Alert System that posts information concerning any child who is deemed (by the agency investigating the case) to be in imminent physical danger. An Amber Alert is broadcast over most major televisions stations, radio stations and is sent immediately to Law Enforcement Agencies, via NCIC. A description of the child is included, any known information about the child and/or the abductor (parent or non-parent) and the last known information concerning the case.

There are certain criteria which MUST be met before an Amber Alert can be issued. This allows that when an Amber Alert is issued, it is taken very seriously by both law enforcement and the general public, including the media. Amber Alerts are not issued so often that they become a matter of routine. A child must be considered to be in IMMINENT danger of serious physical injury or death.

Amber Alerts are extremely useful and have assisted with the safe return of many children throughout the USA. If you hear of or see an Amber Alert, please pay attention and make yourself aware of the information and immediately begin to "look out" for any signs of the child and/or abductor. Contact local law enforcement of you have ANY information which may assist in the safe return of a child. Even if your information turns out to be non-helpful, it is ALWAYS better to be overprotective than to do or say nothing. Also, do not attemt to intervene unless you feel it is 100% safe for you and the child to do so. Always allow law enforcement to take the necessary action. Abductors should always be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.

Answer 2

An amber alert is a public notification of a child abduction, named after a child abducted in Arlington, Texas. The letters also indicate an acronym, America's Missing: Broadcasting Emergency Response.