Amber Alerts: California CHP Guidlines - Not every "Child Abduction is a "Amber Alert".

California Highway Patrol Amber Alerts have much stricter criteria and guidelines than a "Child Abduction" and only are issued by CHP. So not every "Child Abduction is a "Amber Alert".

AMBER ALERT History:

The AMBER ALERT Program originated in Texas in 1996 after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted and murdered. Texas organized a system that encouraged law enforcement agencies to alert the media following a confirmed child abduction.

California introduced the AMBER ALERT concept in 1999 as a regional program. In 2002 it was adopted statewide after legislation established procedures to assist law enforcement.

AMBER ALERT Guidelines:

• AMBER ALERT may be activated only by law enforcement agencies.
• AMBER ALERT is intended only for the most serious, time-critical child abduction cases.
• AMBER ALERT is not intended for cases involving runaways or parental abduction, except in life-threatening situations.

AMBER ALERT Criteria for issuing:

Law enforcement agencies ensure these conditions are met before activating an AMBER ALERT:

• The investigating law enforcement agency confirms an abduction has occurred.
• The victim is 17 years of age or younger, or has a proven mental or physical disability.
• The victim is in imminent danger of serious injury or death.
• There is information available that, if provided to the public, could assist in the child's safe recovery.

Amber Alerts are now available to cell phone users via the wirelessamberalerts.org website to receive Amber Alert notifications on your handheld devices. You just might save a child's life.
For more information:

California Highway Patrol
1-800-TELL-CHP  (1-800-835-5247)
www.chp.ca.gov

California Department of Justice
www.ag.ca.gov

Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit
www.ag.ca.gov/missing

Missing Children Hotline
1-800-222-FIND  (1-800-222-3463)

Office of Victim Services
(877) 433-9069

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
1-800-THE-LOST  (1-800-843-5678)
www.missingkids.com

Source cite: http://www.chp.ca.gov/amber/