History of Amber alert in Timeline
An Amber Alert, or Child Abduction Emergency, is a public service announcement distributed when a child abduction occurs, requesting the public's assistance in locating the missing child. Originating in the United States, the Amber Alert system broadcasts information through various media channels, including radio, television, and mobile devices, to quickly disseminate details about the child, abductor, and any relevant vehicle information. The goal is to mobilize the community and law enforcement to facilitate the swift and safe recovery of the abducted child. Amber Alerts have proven effective in many cases, highlighting the importance of public awareness and participation in child safety.
11 hours ago : Missing Child Found Safe After Amber Alert Issued in Maryland.
An Amber Alert was issued in Maryland for a missing 4-year-old child. Thankfully, the child and his mother have been found safe by the authorities.
1993: Polly Klaas Kidnapped and Murdered
In 1993, Polly Klaas was kidnapped and murdered in Petaluma, California. After Amber Hagerman was kidnapped, her father, Richard, contacted Marc Klaas, Polly's father.
January 17, 1996: Amber Hagerman Found Murdered
On January 17, 1996, Amber Rene Hagerman, the namesake of the Amber Alert system, was found murdered after being abducted.
February 1996: NCMEC Declined to be a Part of the Amber Alert Program
In February 1996, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) declined to be a part of the Amber alert program.
June 1996: Williams Testified in Congress
In June 1996, Donna Williams testified in front of the United States Congress, requesting the creation of a nationwide registry of sex offenders. Representative Martin Frost proposed an "Amber Hagerman Child Protection Act."
1998: Child Alert Foundation Created the First ANS
In 1998, the Child Alert Foundation created the first fully automated Alert Notification System (ANS) to notify communities when a child was reported missing or abducted. The alerts were sent to radio and television stations, law enforcement, newspapers and local organizations.
October 2000: House of Representatives Adopted H.Res.605
In October 2000, the United States House of Representatives adopted H.Res.605, encouraging communities to implement the Amber Plan.
October 2001: NCMEC Launched a Campaign to Establish Amber Alert Systems Nationwide
In October 2001, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children launched a campaign to have Amber alert systems established nationwide.
February 2002: FCC Officially Endorsed the System
In February 2002, the Federal Communications Commission officially endorsed the Amber Alert system.
July 24, 2002: California Established an Amber Alert System
On July 24, 2002, California established an Amber Alert system, prompted by the kidnapping and murder of Samantha Runnion. In its first month, California issued 13 Amber alerts, with 12 children recovered safely.
September 2002: 26 States had Established Amber Alert Systems
By September 2002, 26 states had established Amber alert systems that covered all or parts of the state.
October 2002: President Bush Announced Changes to the 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 on Freeway Signs Causes Traffic Congestion in Los Angeles
In October 2002, an Amber alert issued in Los Angeles that was displayed on area freeway signs caused significant traffic congestion.
November 14, 2002: First System in the UK was Created in Sussex
On November 14, 2002, the first system in the UK of this kind was created in Sussex. This was followed by versions in Surrey and Hampshire.
November 2002: America Online Offered Digital 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 by entering their ZIP Code.
2002: NCMEC expanded role in Amber Alert
In 2002, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) expanded its role to promote the Amber alert system.
April 2003: Related Bill Became Law
In April 2003, a bill related to the Amber Alert system became law.
May 26, 2003: Amber Alert Introduced in Quebec
On May 26, 2003, the Amber Alert system was introduced in Quebec, with the name adapted in French to Alerte Médiatique But Enfant Recherché.
2003: Research Team Begins Reviewing Abduction Cases
In 2003, a research team led by criminologist Timothy Griffin began reviewing hundreds of abduction cases to analyze the effectiveness of Amber alerts.
2004: Scripps Howard Study Finds Issues with Amber Alert Usage
In 2004, a Scripps Howard study of the 233 Amber alerts in the United States found that most issued alerts did not meet the Department of Justice's criteria. 50% were categorized as family abductions and 48 alerts were for children who had not been abducted.
May 2005: Queensland Implemented a Version of Amber Alerts
In May 2005, the Australian state of Queensland implemented a version of the Amber Alerts.
2005: All Fifty States had Operational Programs
By 2005, all fifty states had operational Amber Alert programs.
2005: Every Local Jurisdiction in England and Wales had its Own Form of Alert System
By 2005, every local jurisdiction in England and Wales had its own form of alert system.
May 2006: United States Postal Service Issues Postage Stamp Commemorating Amber Alerts
In May 2006, the United States Postal Service issued a postage stamp commemorating Amber alerts. The 39-cent stamp features a chalk pastel drawing by artist Vivienne Flesher of a reunited mother and child, with the text "AMBER ALERT saves missing children".
2006: Research Team Findings on Amber Alert Effectiveness
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.
2006: TV Movie Amber's Story Broadcast on Lifetime
In 2006, a TV movie, Amber's Story, starring Elisabeth Röhm and Sophie Hough, was broadcast on Lifetime.
April 1, 2007: AMBER Alert System Became 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, based on the Amber alert, and named after Nurin Jazlin.
2008: AMBER Alert Netherlands Launched
In 2008, AMBER Alert Netherlands was launched.
2008: Texas Implements Blue Alert for Cases of Serious Injury to Police Officers
Since 2008, Texas has implemented the "blue alert" 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 by someone who saw his picture on an electronic billboard.
April 2009: AMBER Alert System would be Set Up 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, a comic book entitled Amber Hagerman Deserves Justice: A Night Owl Story was published by Wham Bang Comics. It tells Amber's story, recounts the investigation into her murder, and touches on the effect her death has had on young children and parents everywhere.
May 25, 2010: Nationwide Launch of Child Rescue Alert in Britain
On May 25, 2010, the Child Rescue Alert, based on the AMBER alert system, was launched nationwide in Britain.
2010: CART Program Trained 225 Response Teams
As of 2010, the Child Abduction Response Teams (CART) program, developed by the United States Department of Justice, had trained 225 response teams in 43 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Canada.
May 2012: Child Rescue Ireland (CRI) Alert was 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: The System was First Used in the UK
The first use of the system in the UK was on October 3, 2012, regarding missing 5 year-old April Jones in Wales.
2012: California Creates Silver Alert for Missing Elderly People
In 2012, California created the Silver Alert for missing elderly people.
January 1, 2013: Amber Alerts are automatically sent through the Wireless Emergency Alerts 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, the timing of 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.
2014: Amber Alert Report Details Alert Statistics
According to the 2014 Amber Alert Report, 186 Amber alerts were issued in the US, involving 239 children – 60 of whom were taken by strangers or people other than their legal guardians.
April 2015: AMBER Alert Slovakia is Available
Since April 2015, an emergency child abduction alert system "AMBER Alert Slovakia" is available in Slovakia.
May 2016: China Announces Emergency Release Platform for Children's Missing Information
In May 2016, the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China announced the Ministry of Public Security Emergency Release Platform for Children's Missing Information in Beijing. The platform, receiving technical support from Alibaba Group, pushes information of missing children confirmed by the police to mobile phones in the area where the children disappeared.
November 2017: New Zealand Police Launched Their Version of the System
In November 2017, the New Zealand Police launched their own version of the Amber Alert system, using Facebook to display information about missing individuals.
2019: Megafon Develops MegaFon.Poisk Alert System
In 2019, Megafon developed its own alert system called MegaFon.Poisk. It is oriented for all regions of Russia where MegaFon is represented and is used for searches of children and adults as well.
2021: Initiative to Merge Amber Alerts into Burgernet System Blocked
In 2021, Dutch police authorities proposed to merge Amber alerts into the Burgernet system, but Parliament blocked the initiative.
2022: California Creates "feather alert" for Missing Indigenous People
In 2022, California created the "feather alert" for missing Indigenous people.
October 25, 2023: AMBER alert system Started Operating in Serbia
On October 25, 2023, the AMBER alert system, called "Pronađi me" (transl. Find me) started operating in Serbia.
December 2023: 1,186 Children Recovered Due to Amber Alert Program
As of December 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said 1,186 children were recovered because of the Amber alert program.
March 26, 2024: The First AMBER alert system was Activated
On March 26, 2024 the AMBER alert system in Serbia was first activated on March 26, 2024 due to the disappearance of two-year-old girl, Danka Ilić, in Banjsko Polje in Bor.
2024: Blue Alert Prompts Complaints
In 2024, the Texas Department of Public Safety sent a blue alert at 4:50 a.m. to cell phones across the state, prompting thousands of complaints to the Federal Communications Commission.
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