History of Amber alert in Timeline

An Amber Alert, or Child Abduction Emergency alert, is a public notification system used to broadcast urgent bulletins regarding child abductions. Originating in the United States, the system enlists the help of the general public in locating abducted children. These alerts are typically disseminated through various media channels, including television, radio, road signs, and mobile devices, aiming to quickly spread information and increase the chances of safely recovering the child.

1993: Polly Klaas Kidnapping and Murder

In 1993, Polly Klaas was kidnapped and murdered in Petaluma, California. This event preceded the Amber Hagerman case, and her father, Marc Klaas, was contacted by Amber's father, Richard, for support.

January 13, 1996: Amber Hagerman Abduction

On January 13, 1996, nine-year-old Amber Rene Hagerman was abducted in Arlington, Texas. This tragic event led to the creation of the Amber Alert system.

January 15, 1996: Amber Hagerman's Death

On January 15, 1996, Amber Rene Hagerman, who had been abducted a few days prior, was found murdered in Arlington, Texas. This event deeply impacted the community and intensified the call for measures to protect children.

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," which included the creation of a national sex offender registry.

July 1996: First Amber Alert Proposal

In July 1996, Bruce Seybert, speaking at a media symposium in Arlington, emphasized the importance of quick police action and media involvement in locating missing children. Following Seybert's speech, C.J. Wheeler, a reporter from radio station KRLD, approached the Dallas police chief with Seybert's ideas and launched the first ever Amber Alert.

1998: Child Alert Foundation Creates Automated Alert Notification System

In 1998, the Child Alert Foundation created the first fully automated Alert Notification System (ANS). This system notified radio and television stations, law enforcement agencies, newspapers, and local support organizations via pagers, faxes, emails, and cell phones when a child was reported missing or abducted, with information 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, encouraging 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 initially declining to participate in the program in February 1996.

February 2002: Federal Communications Commission Endorses 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 following the kidnapping and murder of Samantha Runnion. In its first month, California issued 13 Amber alerts, leading to the safe recovery of 12 children and the resolution of one alert as a misunderstanding.

September 2002: 26 States Establish Amber Alert Systems

By September 2002, 26 states had established Amber alert systems covering all or parts of the state. US Senators proposed legislation to name an Amber alert coordinator in the U.S. Justice Department and provide $25 million in federal matching grants for states.

October 2002: President Bush Announces Changes to Amber Alert System

At an October 2002 conference, 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 Causes Traffic Congestion in Los Angeles

In October 2002, an Amber alert displayed on freeway signs in Los Angeles caused significant traffic congestion. Consequently, the California Highway Patrol opted not to display alerts during rush hour due to safety concerns.

November 14, 2002: First System in the UK Created in Sussex

On November 14, 2002, the first system in the UK of this kind was created in Sussex, paving the way for the development of similar systems in other regions.

November 2002: America Online Offers Digital Alerts

In November 2002, America Online (AOL) began offering a service allowing people to sign up to receive Amber alert notifications via computer, pager, or cell phone, targeted by ZIP Code.

December 2002: Alberta Launches First Province-Wide System in Canada

In December 2002, Alberta launched the first province-wide Amber Alert system in Canada, with the government committing over CA$1 million to expand the province's emergency warning system.

2002: NCMEC Promotes Amber Alert

In 2002, following the automation of the Amber alert with ANS technology created by the Child Alert Foundation, 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 bill related to the Amber Alert system became law, furthering the establishment and standardization of the program.

May 26, 2003: Quebec Introduces AMBER Alert

On May 26, 2003, the AMBER alert program was introduced in Quebec, with the name adapted to Alerte Médiatique But Enfant Recherché. Quebec requires police authorities to meet four specific criteria simultaneously to launch an AMBER alert.

2003: Criminologist Timothy Griffin reviews abduction cases

In 2003, a research team led by criminologist Timothy Griffin reviewed hundreds of abduction cases that occurred between 2003 and 2006 and found that Amber alerts had little apparent role in the eventual return of abducted children.

May 2004: Saskatchewan Establishes Amber Alert System

By May 2004, Saskatchewan was the only province in Canada that had not yet established an Amber Alert system, but soon followed suit within the next year, completing the nationwide implementation.

2004: Scripps Howard Study Reveals Misuse of Amber Alerts

In 2004, a Scripps Howard study of 233 Amber alerts issued in the United States found that the majority did not meet the Department of Justice's criteria. 50% were family abductions, and some were for children who were lost, ran away, or involved in misunderstandings.

May 2005: Queensland Implements Amber Alerts

In May 2005, the Australian state of Queensland implemented a version of the Amber alerts.

2005: All Fifty States Have Operational Programs

By 2005, all fifty states in the United States had operational Amber alert programs, which operated across state and jurisdictional boundaries.

2005: Alert Systems in England and Wales

By 2005, every local jurisdiction in England and Wales had its own form of alert system, showcasing the widespread adoption of the Amber Alert concept.

February 2006: France Launches Alerte-Enlèvement

In February 2006, France's Justice ministry launched an Amber Alert-based system named Alerte-Enlèvement or Dispositif Alerte-Enlèvement with the help of media, railroad, and motorway companies.

May 2006: U.S. Postal Service Issues Stamp Commemorating Amber Alerts

In May 2006, the United States Postal Service issued a postage stamp commemorating Amber alerts. The 39-cent stamp featured a drawing of a reunited mother and child and included the text "AMBER ALERT saves missing children."

2006: Wireless Amber Alert Program Launched

By 2006, the public could sign up online to receive Amber alerts via SMS through the Wireless Amber Alert program, administered in partnership with CTIA.

2006: TV Movie "Amber's Story" Broadcast on Lifetime

In 2006, a TV movie titled "Amber's Story", starring Elisabeth Röhm and Sophie Hough, was broadcast on Lifetime.

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2006: Criminologist Timothy Griffin reviews abduction cases

In 2006, a research team led by criminologist Timothy Griffin reviewed hundreds of abduction cases that occurred between 2003 and 2006 and found that Amber alerts had little apparent role in the eventual return of abducted children.

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, marking a significant step towards a nationwide implementation.

September 2007: Malaysia Implements Nurin Alert

In September 2007, Malaysia implemented the Nurin Alert, a system based on the Amber alert and named after missing eight-year-old girl Nurin Jazlin.

2008: AMBER Alert Netherlands Launched

In 2008, AMBER Alert Netherlands was launched, establishing the system in the Netherlands.

2008: Texas Implements "Blue Alert" for Injured 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 for a missing 4-year-old boy in Rotterdam. The boy was found safe after being recognized by someone who saw his picture on an electronic billboard, leading to the alert being halted before all recipients received it.

April 2009: Announcement of AMBER Alert System in Ireland

In April 2009, it was announced that an AMBER alert system would be set up in Ireland, marking the beginning of efforts to implement the system in the country.

2009: Comic Book "Amber Hagerman Deserves Justice: A Night Owl Story" Published

In 2009, "Amber Hagerman Deserves Justice: A Night Owl Story", a comic book by Jake Tinsley and Jason Dube, was published. It tells Amber's story and the investigation into her murder and touches on the effect her death has had on children and parents everywhere. It was created to promote what was then a reopened investigation into her murder.

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: Child Abduction Response Teams (CART) Program Update

As of 2010, 225 Child Abduction Response Teams (CART) have been trained in 43 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Canada. The CART program, developed by the United States Department of Justice, assists local agencies in missing children's cases, including those not meeting Amber alert criteria.

April 28, 2011: Mexico Joins Amber Alert Efforts

On April 28, 2011, Mexico officially joined international efforts to spread the use of the Amber alert during a launch ceremony.

May 2012: Child Rescue Ireland (CRI) Alert Officially Introduced

In May 2012, the Child Rescue Ireland (CRI) Alert was officially introduced, and Ireland's first AMBER alert was issued for 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 in response to the disappearance of 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.

December 31, 2012: Wireless Amber Alert Program Retired

The Wireless Amber Alert program was retired on December 31, 2012, in favor of Wireless Emergency Alerts.

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 were recovered as a result of the Amber alert program.

2013: West Virginia Passes Skylar's Law

In 2013, West Virginia passed Skylar's Law to eliminate the first criterion for triggering an Amber alert, related to child abduction.

2014: 2014 Amber Alert Report Details Alerts Issued in the US

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 Available

Since April 2015, an emergency child abduction alert system "AMBER Alert Slovakia" is available in Slovakia through www.amberalert.sk.

May 2016: China Launches Emergency Release Platform for Missing Children

In May 2016, China's Ministry of Public Security announced the launch of the Ministry of Public Security Emergency Release Platform for Children's Missing Information in Beijing, with plans for nationwide rollout. The platform, supported by Alibaba Group, pushes information about missing children to mobile phones in the vicinity of their disappearance to mobilize local residents to assist in the search.

June 2017: Other Australian States Join Facebook's Amber Alert Program

In June 2017, other Australian states joined Queensland in Facebook's Amber Alert program, expanding the reach and effectiveness of the alert system.

November 2017: New Zealand Launches Amber Alert System

In November 2017, the New Zealand Police launched their own version of the Amber Alert system. This system inserts information about the missing individual in the news feeds of Facebook users in the target area, and news organizations are alerted.

December 2017: Abduction of Emilia Benavides

In December 2017, Emilia Benavides was abducted in Ecuador, which later influenced the creation of a national Amber Alert system named after her.

2018: Alert Ready System Introduced Alerts on Mobile Devices

In 2018, Alert Ready introduced Amber alerts on supported mobile devices in Canada, disrupting programming on radio, television, and television providers with a distinct sound and onscreen information. The inability to deactivate these alerts on mobile devices, even in silent or Do Not Disturb modes, has caused controversy.

2018: Ecuador Introduces Emilia Alert

In 2018, Ecuador's Department of Security introduced its own Amber alert called Emilia alert, named after the abducted girl Emilia Benavides in December 2017.

2019: MegaFon Launches MegaFon.Poisk Alert System in Russia

In 2019, MegaFon developed the MegaFon.Poisk alert system for searching for missing children and adults across all regions of Russia where MegaFon operates. Within six months, the service aided in the search for over 250 people, with a 30% success rate of receiving information from the public.

September 2021: AMBER Alert Launched in Ukraine

On 22 September 2021, Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation, the National Police of Ukraine and Facebook announced the launch of AMBER alert in Ukraine.

2021: Proposed Merger of Amber Alerts into Burgernet System

In 2021, Dutch police authorities proposed to merge Amber alerts into the Burgernet system, but the initiative was blocked by Parliament. Dutch police continue to send Amber alerts through Burgernet as well as its own social media.

2022: California Introduces "Feather Alert" for Missing Indigenous People

In 2022, California introduced the "feather alert" for missing Indigenous people, to dedicate resources to missing Indigenous youths.

March 2023: Morocco Develops "Tifli Moukhtafi" Alert System with Meta Platforms

In March 2023, Morocco's General Directorate of National Security developed an Amber Alert-based system called "Tifli Moukhtafi" in cooperation with Meta Platforms. The alerts are distributed via SMS and on Meta's platforms.

October 25, 2023: Amber Alert System "Pronađi me" Starts Operating in Serbia

On October 25, 2023, the Amber Alert system, called "Pronađi me" (transl. Find me), started operating in Serbia.

March 26, 2024: First Activation of "Pronađi me" in Serbia

On March 26, 2024, the "Pronađi me" Amber Alert system was first activated in Serbia due to the disappearance of two-year-old girl, Danka Ilić, in Banjsko Polje in Bor.

2024: Texas Blue Alert at 4:50 a.m. 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, some far from the incident location. The alert prompted thousands of complaints to the Federal Communications Commission.