History of Amber alert in Timeline
An Amber Alert, or Child Abduction Emergency, is a public notification system used to disseminate information about abducted children, seeking public assistance in locating them. Originating in the United States, these alerts interrupt regular broadcasts to provide critical details that may aid in the child's safe recovery. It's a collaborative effort between law enforcement, media outlets, and the public.
2 hours ago : Georgia: Missing child found safe after Amber Alert issued in Barrow County.
A missing 9-month-old from Barrow County, Georgia, was found safe after an Amber Alert was issued. The child was located in DeKalb County. The Amber Alert was subsequently canceled.
November 25, 1986: Amber Hagerman's Birth
On November 25, 1986, Amber Rene Hagerman, the namesake of the Amber Alert system, was born.
1993: Polly Klaas Kidnapping and Murder
In 1993, Polly Klaas was kidnapped and murdered in Petaluma, California. Upon hearing the news of Amber Hagerman's abduction, Richard Hagerman called Marc Klaas, Polly's father.
February 1996: NCMEC Declines Amber Alert Program
In February 1996, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children declined to be a part of the Amber alert program.
June 1996: Donna Williams Testifies Before Congress
In June 1996, Amber Hagerman's mother, Donna Williams, testified before the United States Congress, advocating for a nationwide registry of sex offenders. Representative Martin Frost proposed an "Amber Hagerman Child Protection Act."
1998: Child Alert Foundation Creates Automated Alert System
In 1998, the Child Alert Foundation created the first fully automated Alert Notification System (ANS) to notify communities about missing or abducted children. Alerts were sent to radio stations, television stations, law enforcement agencies, newspapers, and local support organizations via pagers, faxes, emails, and cell phones, and the information was posted on the Internet.
October 2000: House of Representatives Encourages Amber Plan Implementation
In October 2000, the United States House of Representatives adopted H.Res.605, which encouraged communities nationwide to implement the Amber Plan.
October 2001: NCMEC Launches Campaign for Nationwide Amber Alert Systems
In October 2001, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) launched a campaign to establish Amber alert systems nationwide, after having declined to participate in the Amber alert program in 1996.
February 2002: Federal Communications Commission Endorses Amber Alert System
In February 2002, the Federal Communications Commission officially endorsed the Amber alert system.
July 24, 2002: California Establishes Amber Alert System
On July 24, 2002, California established an Amber alert system after the kidnapping and murder of Samantha Runnion. In its first month, California issued 13 Amber alerts; 12 children were recovered safely, and one alert was a misunderstanding.
September 2002: States Establish Amber Alert Systems; Federal Legislation Proposed
By September 2002, 26 states had established Amber alert systems. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and Dianne Feinstein proposed legislation for a U.S. Justice Department Amber alert coordinator and $25 million in federal matching grants for state programs and equipment like electronic highway signs.
October 2002: President Bush Announces Changes to Amber Alert System
At an October 2002 conference on missing, exploited, and runaway children, President George W. Bush announced changes to the Amber alert system, including the development of a national standard for issuing Amber alerts.
October 2002: Amber Alert Display on Freeway Signs Causes Congestion in Los Angeles
In October 2002, displaying an Amber alert on freeway signs in Los Angeles caused significant traffic congestion, leading the California Highway Patrol to restrict their display during rush hour.
November 14, 2002: First UK Amber Alert System Created in Sussex
On November 14, 2002, the first system in the UK of this kind was created in Sussex.
November 2002: America Online Offers Digital Amber Alerts
In November 2002, America Online began offering digital Amber alerts, allowing people to sign up to receive notifications via computer, pager, or cell phone, targeted to specific geographic regions based on ZIP Code.
December 2002: Alberta Launches Province-Wide Amber Alert System
In December 2002, Alberta launched the first province-wide Amber Alert system in Canada, with a commitment of over CA$1 million to expand the province's emergency warning system. Officials anticipated issuing only one Amber Alert per year.
2002: NCMEC Promotes Amber Alert
In 2002, following the automation of the Amber alert system, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) expanded its role to promote the Amber alert.
April 2003: Related Bill Becomes Law
In April 2003, a related bill regarding Amber alerts became law in the United States.
May 26, 2003: AMBER Alert Introduced in Quebec
On May 26, 2003, the AMBER alert program was introduced in Quebec. The name was adapted in French to Alerte Médiatique But Enfant Recherché, meaning "Media Alert Goal of Child Recovery".
2003: Criminologist Timothy Griffin Reviews Abduction Cases
Between 2003 and 2006, a research team led by criminologist Timothy Griffin reviewed hundreds of abduction cases and found that Amber alerts had little apparent role in the eventual return of abducted children, tending to "succeed" in relatively mundane abductions.
2004: Scripps Howard Study on Amber Alerts in the US
In 2004, a Scripps Howard study analyzed 233 Amber alerts in the United States and found that only 30% involved children taken by strangers or unlawfully traveling with adults other than their legal guardians, while many others were related to family abductions, misunderstandings, or hoaxes.
May 2005: Queensland Implements Amber Alerts
In May 2005, the Australian state of Queensland implemented a version of the Amber alerts.
2005: Amber Alert Programs Operational in All Fifty States
By 2005, all fifty states in the United States had operational Amber Alert programs.
2005: Every Local Jurisdiction in England and Wales Had Alert System
By 2005, every local jurisdiction in England and Wales had its own form of alert system.
May 2006: US Postal Service Issues Stamp Commemorating Amber Alerts
In May 2006, the United States Postal Service issued a 39-cent postage stamp commemorating Amber alerts, featuring a drawing of a reunited mother and child and the text "AMBER ALERT saves missing children".
2006: Criminologist Timothy Griffin Reviews Abduction Cases
Between 2003 and 2006, a research team led by criminologist Timothy Griffin reviewed hundreds of abduction cases and found that Amber alerts had little apparent role in the eventual return of abducted children, tending to "succeed" in relatively mundane abductions.
2006: Amber's Story TV Movie Broadcast on Lifetime
In 2006, a TV movie titled "Amber's Story", starring Elisabeth Röhm and Sophie Hough, was broadcast on Lifetime.
April 1, 2007: AMBER Alert System Active in North West England
On April 1, 2007, the AMBER alert system became active in North West England.
September 2007: Malaysia Implements Nurin Alert
In September 2007, Malaysia implemented the Nurin Alert, named after a missing eight-year-old girl, Nurin Jazlin, and based on the Amber Alert system.
2008: AMBER Alert Netherlands Launched
In 2008, AMBER Alert Netherlands was launched.
2008: Texas Implements Blue Alert
Since 2008, Texas has implemented the "blue alert" system for suspected cases of serious injury to police officers.
February 14, 2009: First Dutch AMBER Alert Issued
On February 14, 2009, the first Dutch AMBER alert was issued when a 4-year-old boy went missing in Rotterdam. He was found safe after being recognized from his picture on an electronic billboard in a fast food restaurant.
April 2009: AMBER Alert System Announced in Ireland
In April 2009, it was announced that an AMBER alert system would be set up in Ireland.
2009: Amber Hagerman Deserves Justice: A Night Owl Story Comic Book Published
In 2009, Wham Bang Comics published a comic book entitled "Amber Hagerman Deserves Justice: A Night Owl Story" by Jake Tinsley and Jason Dube. It tells Amber's story and the investigation into her murder to promote the reopened investigation.
May 25, 2010: Nationwide Launch of Child Rescue Alert in Britain
On May 25, 2010, the nationwide Child Rescue Alert, based on the AMBER alert system, was launched across Britain.
2010: Child Abduction Response Teams Program Expansion
As of 2010, the Child Abduction Response Teams (CART) program, developed by the United States Department of Justice, has trained 225 response teams in 43 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Canada to assist local agencies in missing children's cases.
May 2012: Child Rescue Ireland (CRI) Alert Officially Introduced
In May 2012, the Child Rescue Ireland (CRI) Alert was officially introduced. Ireland's first AMBER alert was issued upon the disappearance of two boys, Eoghan (10) and Ruairí Chada (5).
October 3, 2012: First Use of Child Rescue Alert in the UK
On October 3, 2012, the Child Rescue Alert system was first used in the UK regarding missing 5 year-old April Jones in Wales.
2012: California Creates Silver Alert
In 2012, California established the Silver Alert system for missing elderly people.
January 1, 2013: Amber Alerts Sent Through Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) Program
As of January 1, 2013, Amber Alerts are automatically sent through the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) program.
July 2013: Concerns Raised Over Timing of New York Child Abduction Alert
In July 2013, a New York child abduction alert sent through the Wireless Emergency Alerts system at 4 a.m. raised concerns that many cellphone users would disable WEA alerts.
August 2013: 656 Children Recovered Due to Amber Alert Program
As of August 2013, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported that 656 children had been recovered because of the Amber Alert program.
2014: 2014 Amber Alert Report Findings
According to the 2014 Amber Alert Report, 186 Amber alerts were issued in the US during 2014, involving 239 children, with 60 of them taken by strangers or non-legal guardians.
April 2015: AMBER Alert Slovakia Available
Since April 2015, an emergency child abduction alert system "AMBER Alert Slovakia" is also available in Slovakia.
May 2016: China Launches Emergency Release Platform for Missing Children
In May 2016, the Ministry of Public Security of China launched the Emergency Release Platform for Children's Missing Information in Beijing. This platform, supported by Alibaba Group, pushes information about missing children to nearby mobile phones to mobilize the public in finding and reporting clues.
November 2017: New Zealand Police Launches Amber Alert System
In November 2017, the New Zealand Police launched their version of the Amber Alert system. When activated, it inserts information about the missing individual into the news feeds of Facebook users and alerts news organizations.
December 2017: Abduction of Emilia Benavides
In December 2017, Emilia Benavides was abducted, an event that later led to the creation of Ecuador's Emilia Alert.
2018: Alert Ready Introduces Mobile Amber Alerts in Canada
In 2018, Alert Ready introduced Amber alerts on supported mobile devices in Canada, which disrupts programming on radio and television. These alerts play a distinct sound and display information onscreen but cannot be deactivated, even on silent or 'Do Not Disturb' mode, leading to controversy.
2018: Ecuador Introduces Emilia Alert
In 2018, Ecuador's Department of Security introduced the Emilia Alert, named after Emilia Benavides who was abducted in December 2017.
2019: MegaFon Develops MegaFon.Poisk Alert System
In 2019, MegaFon developed its own alert system called MegaFon.Poisk for searching for missing children and adults in Russia. Within six months, the service was used in over 250 searches, with a 30% success rate based on public feedback.
2021: Proposed Merger of Amber Alerts into Burgernet System in Netherlands
In 2021, Dutch police authorities proposed to merge Amber alerts into the Burgernet system; however, Parliament blocked the initiative. Dutch police continues to send Amber alerts through Burgernet as well as its own social media.
2022: California Creates Feather Alert
In 2022, California introduced the "feather alert" for missing Indigenous people.
March 2023: Morocco Develops "Tifli Moukhtafi" Alert System
In March 2023, Morocco's General Directorate of National Security developed "Tifli Moukhtafi," an alert system in cooperation with Meta Platforms. The alerts are distributed via SMS and on Meta-owned platforms.
October 25, 2023: AMBER Alert System Launched in Serbia
On October 25, 2023, the AMBER alert system, called "Pronađi me" (transl. Find me) started operating in Serbia.
2023: Alberta Government Funding
In December 2002, the Alberta government committed to spending more than CA$1 million (equivalent to $1.6 million in 2023) to expanding the province's emergency warning system so that it could be used effectively for Amber Alerts.
March 26, 2024: First Activation of AMBER Alert System in Serbia
On March 26, 2024, the AMBER alert system in Serbia was first activated due to the disappearance of two-year-old girl, Danka Ilić, in Banjsko Polje in Bor.
2024: Texas Blue Alert Triggers Complaints
In 2024, the Texas Department of Public Safety sent a blue alert at 4:50 a.m. to cell phones across the state, even far from the incident. This prompted complaints to the Federal Communications Commission.
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