Ambert Alert Information

2007-10-07T15:48:00.001-07:00

Amber Alert issued for missing Riverside boy

(10-06) 22:51 PDT RIVERSIDE - Law enforcement authorities issued an Amber Alert today for a 12-year-old boy reported kidnapped in Riverside.

The boy, Eric Gibson, was kidnapped about 6 a.m. Friday, authorities said. Riverside police said the suspect was Nilda Ruth Wery, 40, who was last seen driving a red Jeep Wrangler, California license plate 4KXT611.

Eric is described as white, 5-foot-9 and 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a brown leather jacket, blue jeans, white T-shirt and white DC tennis shoes, authorities said.

Wery is described as Latino, 5-foot-5 and 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Her relationship to the boy and the circumstances of the alleged abduction were not immediately known.

Anyone with information is asked to call Riverside police at (951) 787-7911.

2007-10-07T15:47:00.001-07:00

FOXNews.com - Amber Alert Issued for Missing New Orleans 16-Year-Old Girl - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

Police issued an Amber Alert Saturday for a missing 16-year-old girl who might have left with a sex offender.

Investigators say Kathleen Porter was in communication with a possible sex offender. Porter could be with a 27-year-old man in the Pensacola, Fla., area, police say.

Porter, reported missing Saturday morning, is a white female with green eyes and dark brown long hair. She is about 5'5" and weights about 90 to 100 pounds.

Anyone with information that can help locate Kathleen Porter should contact the New Orleans Police Department at 504-821-2222.

Amber Alert cancelled Friday October 6, 2007

2007-10-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

Amber Alert cancelled Friday October 6, 2007: " The Illinois State Police and the Venice Police Department cancelled the Amber Alert after the child was recovered safe early Saturday morning. The suspect is in custody.

William l Henderson is a male black 3-month-old infant, 22 inches, and 15 pounds, with black curly hair, brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue striped polo jump suit.

The suspect is William Henderson, male, black, 22 years old. Mr. Henderson is 5 feet 6 inches tall, 170 pounds, medium build, black hair, brown eyes, and dark complexion. He has a tattoo that says 'mama pray for your baby' on his right forearm, additional tattoo on left forearm and 'AAB on is left hand. He is wearing a red hat, red shirt and blue jeans.

The suspect vehicle is a white Ford Taurus with partial Illinois license x23.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Venice Police Department at 618-451-0231 or dial 911. "

2007-10-04T23:19:00.003-07:00

Ambert Alert Information: Project Safekids - Megan's Law

Project Safekids - Megan's Law

Project Safekids - Megan's Law: "Megan's Law"

2007-10-04T23:19:00.001-07:00

Ambert Alert Information

Jessica's Law

The Jessica Lunsford Act - Jessica's Law

Increase the penalty for lewd and lascivious molestation of a child to life in prison or a split sentence of a mandatory minimum 25-year prison term, followed by lifetime supervision with electronic monitoring.
Increase, from 20 to 30 years, the period of time before a sexual predator is allowed to petition to have the sexual predator designation removed.
Increase sexual predator/offender registration and reporting requirements.
Sexual predators who murder their victims now qualify for the death penalty in capital cases.
Designate failing to re-register as a sexual offender/predator or harboring or assisting a sexual predator/offender a third degree felony.
Require those already convicted of sex crimes to have electronic monitoring for the remainder of their probation.
Require all county misdemeanor probation officials to search the sexual offender registry when a new offender is assigned to them.

Detailed Legislation:

Federal Legislation Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act S. 1086

New Changes to Current Law: General

Full Integration: Fully integrates Meganís Law and the ìLychner Amendmentsî into the Wetterling Act. Expands Covered Offenses against Children: Adds the ìuse of the Internet to facilitate or commit a crime against a minorî as one that could trigger registration. Tribal Lands: For the first time, the sex offender registration law will cover ìfederally recognized tribal lands.î

New Requirements for Sex Offenders:

Prior to Release: A sex offender will have to register prior to release from prison or supervised release. Current law requires registration after release. [Dodd bill] Bi-annual Registration: Sex offenders will have to re-register twice a year (every three months for a sexually violent predator) ñ not just once. [Dodd bill requires re-registration for all offenders every three months].

Increase of Duration for Periodic Registration: The duration to register for a first-time sex offender increases from 10 years to 20 years and for second offenders and sexually violent offenders for their lifetime. Shortened Time to Comply: Any change of status requiring a registry update (change of address, employment, etc.) must be made three business days after the change occurs ñ not 10 days. [Dodd bill is within 2 business days]

Social Security Number: Social Security numbers will now be a required piece of information that sex offenders must supply to the state registries. However, that information will not be released on state sex offender notification websites. Annual Photographs: The bill adds a mandatory annual update (current law is just once) to the taking of a sex offenderís photograph. The state is required to maintain that information as part of their registry. [Dodd bill]

Tracking Devices: Creates a three-year pilot program to help states and local governments outfit sex offenders with electronic and GPS tracking devices. The program will fund a variety of tracking systems and require the Attorney General to study and report on the efficacy of the various technologies and approaches. New Notification Requirements for those Attending Educational Institutions: Requires an individual to notify police when they enroll or attend (current law is just attend) high schools, vocational/technical institutions or higher education institutions.
[Dodd bill]

New State Requirements:

Searchable Statewide Sex Offender Registry: Requires states, not local governments, to maintain a multi-field, searchable sex offender registry. In-Person Registration Requirement: Requires that a sex offender register / update their registry in person at an office designated by the state twice a year. Tracking of Persons in Prison: Provides funding for law enforcement to purchase programs ñ like JusticeXchange ñ to identify individuals currently in jail.

Civil Commitment: Title II (the Dru Sjodin Act) requires state prisons to notify states attorneys whenever ìhigh riskî offenders are about to be released, so that states attorneys can consider petitioning the courts for continued confinement of the offender. The ìcivil commitmentî option is available under the law in many states if an individual is deemed a continuing threat to the public safety. Monitoring of Released Persons: Title II (the Dru Sjodin Act) requires states to monitor ìhigh-riskî offenders who are released after serving their full sentence ñ and are otherwise not subject to probation or other supervision ñ for a period of no less than one year.

Missing Child Reporting Requirements: Section 112 (the Prevention and Recovery of Missing Children Act) requires missing child reports to be input within two hours of receipt. Research shows that a two-hour time frame is crucial to the safe recovery of an abducted child. Prohibits law enforcement agencies from removing a missing person entry based on the child turning 18. [Dodd bill]

New Federal Requirements:

National Sex Offender Registry: Title II (the Dru Sjodin Act) requires the U.S. Justice Department to create a national sex offender database accessible to the public through the Internet. The public web site would allow users to specify a search radius across state lines.

Immediate Electronic Notification to States of a Sex Offenderís Intent to Relocate: Requires the U.S. Attorney General to send out immediate electronic notification of a sex offenderís intent to move to a new state once the Attorney General is notified by the current domiciliary state of the sex offenderís intent to relocate. Model Sex Offender Registry: Requires the U.S. Attorney General, in consultation with the states, to develop a sex offender registry template that can be used by those states that currently do not have such a registry or have a substandard one.

Strict Liability Crime: Makes failing to register or update registry information as proscribed in the Act a strict liability crime. There is an affirmative defense if failure to update information results from uncontrollable circumstances. Felony: Makes failing to register or updating registry information a federal felony. [Dodd bill] Taxpayer and Social Security Information: Allows for the release of taxpayer and Social Security information to law enforcement, when necessary, in trying to locate the sex offender or to verify information supplied by the sex offender.

Immigration Provision: Makes failing to provide sex offender registration information a deportable offense. Releasing Numbers of Sex Offenders to the Public: Requires the U.S. Attorney General to poll states every three months to assess the total number of sex offenders in their registry and to release that information to the public. Study: Requires the U.S. Attorney General to examine ways for law enforcement to do a better job of actively notifying communities when a sex offender moves into their neighborhood.

Compliance:

Bonus Payments: Provides bonus payments to states for complying with this Act sooner than its three-year timeline.
Penalties: Provides a 10 percent reduction in Justice Assistance Grants and certain reductions of Sex Offender Management Assistance Program monies for those states that do not comply.

The Childrenís Safety Act of 2005 HR:

Improves Sex Offender Registration and Notification Program to ensure that sex offenders register, and keep current, where they reside, work and attend school (H. R. 2423 ñ Rep. Foley)
Improves verification systems for sex offender information by requiring monthly verification, sex offender in-person verification every six months, and regular notarized verification mailings ( H.R.1505 ñ Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite) Requires States to have a uniform, public access sex offender registration web site (H. R. 2423 ñ Rep. Foley)
Creates Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Web site to search for sex offender information in each community (H. R. 95 ñ Reps.Gillmor and Pomeroy)
Expands sex offenders to include juvenile sex offenders (H. R. 2797 - Rep. Green)Requires States to notify each other when sex offender moves from one State to another (H. R. 2423 ñ Rep. Foley)
Expands sex offenses covered by registration and notification requirements to include military, tribal, foreign, sex crimes, and increases duration of registration requirements to protect the public (H. R. 1355 ñ Rep. Poe)
Expands community notification requirements to include active efforts to inform law enforcement agencies, schools, public housing, social service agencies and volunteer organizations in area where sex offender resides, works or attends school (H. R. 2423- Rep. Foley, and H. R. 1355 ñ Rep. Poe)
Creates new criminal penalty of mandatory minimum of 5 years to maximum of 20 years for sex offender who fails to comply with registration requirements Expands law enforcement use of DNA to solve sex crimes (H. R. 2796 ñRep. Green)
Prevents and deters violent crimes against children and sexual exploitation of children (H. R. 2318 and H. R. 2388 ñ Rep. Green)
Protects foster children from sexual abuse and exploitation ( H.R.3129 - Rep. Delay) Increases criminal penalties against child sexual predators (H. R. ___ - Rep. DeLay, and H. R. 2942, Rep. Graves)

If you want the Jessica Lunsford Act passed in your state, use this as a guideline to create a petition. Get everyone you can involved: local media, business, friends, & family etc. Call your Senators, Governor and make as much noise as you can. Set a date for the petition drive to end but give enough time to get the signatures you need. When your drive is over make an appointment to deliver them to your Governor. Be prepared to rally at your capitol if needed. Remember children do not have a voteñ we have to stop the terrorism on our children.

Posted by <> at 11:12 PM

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2007-10-04T23:14:00.001-07:00

No 'Amber Alert' for adults | Rhode Island news | Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal

No 'Amber Alert' for adults

07:56 AM EDT on Saturday, September 29, 2007

By Karen Lee Ziner

Journal Staff Writer

Four Rhode Island highway billboards began broadcasting electronic messages yesterday, notifying the public that Katherine N. "Katie" Corcoran, of Lincoln, is still missing, and posting a private 24-hour tip line. The Lamar Advertising Company is running those messages for free as a public service, a spokesman said.

Lamar Advertising is donating space and time on its electronic billboards posting information about Katie Corcoran, a 35-year-old woman missing from Lincoln.

The Providence Journal / Bill Murphy

Corcoran's family representatives contacted the Lamar company after learning that under Rhode Island law, Amber Alerts (an early warning system to prevent child kidnappings) do not apply to adults in Rhode Island.

A recent spate of local missing persons has underscored the difficulties faced by law-enforcement agencies, family and friends in such cases, particularly when the missing adult is mentally ill or is otherwise mentally or physically impaired, conditions that add to their vulnerability.

The cases involve Corcoran, 35, who disappeared Sept. 5, after leaving Butler Hospital, where she was receiving treatment for postpartum depression; Marian Edmonds, 53, of Providence, reported missing two weeks ago and said to suffer emotional problems; and Vicky L. Connolly, 33, of Woonsocket, last seen Sept. 6.

In another case, Anthony Smith left the Johnston Police Department foyer on Sept. 11 and was found last Sunday in Connecticut, where he had apparently walked. His case received widespread attention after advocacy groups accused Johnston police of racial bias both in stopping Smith's uncle, who is African-American, on a minor traffic violation and for questioning, then detaining Smith, who was a passenger in the car, after he gave conflicting answers. Family members said Smith is mentally disabled.

State police Maj. Stephen O'Donnell said missing persons reports are evaluated "case by case."

"It's situational. It all depends on the factors and situation presented to us," O'Donnell said. "If someone is missing and there's suspected foul play, we're going to send out our investigators looking. It's different than if you're 18 and you walk away from home," said O'Donnell. Among many other considerations, "always, when you're dealing with adults, it's a question of if they're endangered."

O'Donnell said municipal police departments report missing persons to state police, who enter them into the National Criminal Information Center (NCIC) data base, available to law enforcement agencies nationwide.

O'Donnell said local police also issue missing persons messages and distribute reports and photographs to local media, and call on other departments for mutual aid.

O'Donnell said there are strict criteria for Amber Alerts in Rhode Island. Those include that law enforcement confirm a child has been abducted and believes that the child is in danger of serious bodily harm or death.

The Katie Corcoran case illustrates how involved family and friends sometimes become, and the obstacles they face.

Michael Akkaoui, president and CEO of Tanury Industries in Lincoln, where Corcoran's husband works, is acting as a family spokesman, and along with Tom Tanury is leading the volunteer search for Corcoran.

To date that has included actual searching, distribution of thousands of "missing" posters; establishment of a 24-hour tip line; telephone and e-mail campaigns; checking on potential leads; and hiring a private detective.

But Akkaoui said they hit a roadblock when the state police turned down their request for an Amber Alert.

"Their response was that it's really reserved just for children, and they didn't feel they had the ability to use it for adults. We understand their reservations," he said, "but it certainly would have been a great assistance to us."

Yesterday, the owner of Lamar billboards stepped in and volunteered to post electronic messages, for free, which Akkaoui said "was kind of our way of getting around it." The electronic messages are being shown once a minute at four billboards, on Routes 146, 10, 195 and 95.

State Rep. Edith Ajello said she and state Sen. Rhoda Perry have twice introduced legislation — unsuccessfully — to add persons with Alzheimer's disease to the Amber Alert criteria. They intend to reintroduce the bill, she said.

"The opposition really came from the police and the Department of Transportation," which she said expressed concerns that posting missing adults would overburden the Amber Alert system.

"I think what these stories are pointing out is there's a somewhat larger group of people that could be helped with this," particularly mentally impaired people, Ajello said. "... The immediacy of highway signs, as opposed to TV and print, could be really helpful. ... You could be doing an Amber Alert at the same time you're warning of congestion or an accident ahead."

Akkaoui credited Lincoln and Newport police (where a woman believed to be Corcoran was sighted in several locations more than a week ago) for their painstaking efforts. But he said, "As hard as the authorities try, and we appreciate everything that they've done, there doesn't seem to be one central coherent location where strategic plans are made for finding someone."

"If it was a criminal, yes. If it was an adolescent, yes. If it was a kidnap, yes. But when it's a missing adult, there doesn't seem to be a program you can reach out to and say, 'Here's a coordinator.' Or 'Here's a contact.' "

Several resources include the National Center for Missing Adults ( www.theyaremissed.org ) created in 2000 as a national clearinghouse for missing adults in the United States, as well as the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill ( www.nami.org), whose Web site offers guidelines for families of missing mentally ill persons.

The Corcoran family and friends are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to her return. People with information can call a 24-hour tip line at (401) 439-7988; or Lincoln Police at (401) 333-1111.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Vicky L. Connolly, of Woonsocket, is asked to call Woonsocket detectives at (401) 766-1212.

Anyone with information on Marian Edmonds is asked to call Providence detectives at (401) 243-6406.

kziner@projo.com

Project Safekids - Education / Information

2007-10-04T23:13:00.000-07:00

Project Safekids - Education / Information: "Education / Information Child Safety Organizations & Websites Child Seek Network - Not for Profit child safety organization based in Portland, Oregon. Child Seek Network offers a myriad of services to families of missing children and adults. Would You Like to See Your Organization Here? Please Contact Us with your details. If you have our Amber Alert Ticker installed on your website and you are a legitimate child services or community organization we will gladly list your agency here."

2007-10-04T23:12:00.003-07:00

Project Safekids - Cyber Bullying

Cyber Bullying

Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats

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Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats - An Overview

Responding to the Challenge of Online Social Cruelty, Threats, and Distress

Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats: Responding to the Challenge of Online Social Cruelty, Threats, and Distress provides in-depth insight and practical strategies for school administrators, counselors/psychologists, resource officers, education technology directors, teachers, and others to prevent and respond to cyberbullying and cyberthreats.

Cyberbullying is being cruel to others by sending or posting harmful material or engaging in other forms of social cruelty using the Internet or other digital technologies. Cyberthreats are either direct threats or distressing material that raises concerns that a young person may be considering committing an act of violence against others or self.

As young people embrace the Internet and other digital communication technologies, cyberbullying and cyberthreats are emerging as challenging issues for schools to address. The impact of cyberbullying on the well-being of students and the school climate can be significant.

CyberbullyNOT: Stop Online Social Cruelty

Cyberbullying is being cruel to others by sending or posting harmful material using the Internet or a cell phone.

Types of Cyberbullying

Flaming: Angry, rude arguments.
Harassment: Repeatedly sending offensive messages.
Denigration: Someone online by spreading rumors or posting false information
Outing and Trickery: disseminating intimate private information or tricking someone into disclosing private information, which is then disseminated.
Impersonation: pretending to be someone else and posting material to damage that personís reputation. Exclusion - intentional exclusion from an online group.
Cyberstalking: creating fear by sending offensive messages and other harmful online activities.

How, Who, and Why

Cyberbullying may occur via personal web sites, blogs, email, discussion groups, message boards, chat, instant messaging, or text/image cell phones. A cyberbully may be a person whom the target knows or an online stranger. A cyberbully may be anonymous and may enlist the aid of others, including online ìfriends.î Cyberbullying may be a continuation of, or in retaliation for, in-school bullying. It may be related to fights about relationships or be based on hate or bias. Some teens think cyberbullying is entertaining ñ a fun game.

Teens may not be concerned about the consequences of harmful online behavior because: They think they are invisible or can take steps to become invisible, so they think they canít be punished. There is no tangible feedback about the harm they cause, so it seems like a game to them. Harmful online social norms support cyberbullying: ìI have a free speech right to post whatever I want, regardless of the harm I cause.

The Harm

Cyberbullying can cause great emotional harm to the target. Online communications can be very cruel and vicious. Cyberbullying can be happening 24/7. Damaging text and images can be widely disseminated and impossible to fully remove. Teens are reluctant to tell adults ñ for fear of overreaction, restriction from online activities, and possible retaliation by the cyberbully. There are emerging reports of youth suicide and violence related to cyberbullying.

Responsible Management of Childrenís Internet Use

Parents have a moral and legal obligation to ensure their children engage in safe and responsible behavior online!
Keep the computer in a public place and supervise its use.
Find out what public online sites/communities your child uses and periodically review what your child is posting. Emphasize that these sites/communities are public and that your child should never post personal contact information, intimate personal information, or provocative sexually oriented material. (Your child may argue that you are invading his/her privacy. These are PUBLIC places!)
Tell your child that you will investigate his/her private online communications if you have reason to believe that he/she has engaged in unsafe or irresponsible behavior. You can install monitoring software to do this.
Make joint Internet use management agreements with the parents of your childís friends ñ addressing the time they can spend online, approved activities, and a mutual parental agreement to monitor and report.

Prevent Your Child from Being a Cyberbully

Make it clear that all Internet use must be in accord with family values of kindness and respect for others and any violation of this expectation will result in monitoring of all online activities using Internet use monitoring software. If your child is being bullied at school, work with the school to stop the bullying and make sure your child knows that he/she should not to retaliate online.

Preventing Your Child from Becoming a Target of Cyberbullying

Frequently discuss the concerns of public disclosure of intimate personal information and the value of modesty.
Visit and discuss the values demonstrated by others in your childís favorite online communities.
Insist that the school intervene effectively to address any in-school bullying.
Seek to ìbully-proofî your child by reinforcing your childís unique individual strengths and fostering healthy friendships with teens you can trust to be kind.

Warning Signs that Your Child Might be the Target

Expression of sadness or anger during or after Internet use.
Withdrawal from friends and activities, school avoidance, and decline of grades, signs of depression and sadness.
Pay close attention if your child is being bullied at school or having any other difficulties with peers. These are the teens that are most often targeted by cyberbullies.

Action Steps and Options to Respond to Cyberbullying

Save the evidence.
Identify the cyberbully(s). Ask your ISP for help.
Clearly tell the cyberbully to stop.
Ignore the cyberbully by leaving the online environment and/or blocking communications.
File a complaint with the Internet or cell phone company.
Seek assistance from the school, if the cyberbully also attends the same school. (But because of free speech protections, if the cyberbullying is occurring totally off-campus, your school may only be able to provide informal assistance, not formal discipline.)
Send the cyberbullyís parents a certified letter that includes the evidence of cyberbullying.
Demand that the actions stop and harmful material be removed.
Contact an attorney to send a letter or file a lawsuit against the parents based on defamation, invasion of privacy, or intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Call the police, if the cyberbullying involves threats of violence, coercion, intimidation based on hate or bias, and any form of sexual exploitation.

Reporting other concerns...

If you have suspicions your child is involved with an online sexual predator, call the police. Do not talk to your child, he/she could warn the predator.
If you see any online threats of school-related violence, call both the school and the police.
If you see any material that raises concerns a child is emotionally distressed and may be contemplating suicide, self-harm, or other violence, contact the counselor of the school the child attends.

An Excellent Guide for Parents & Educators is:

Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats

Order online at http://cyberbully.org
Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use
P.O. Box 51373, Eugene, OR 97405
541-485-0580 • Email: info@csriu.org

2007-10-04T23:12:00.001-07:00

Project Safekids - Jessica's Law

Jessica's Law

The Jessica Lunsford Act - Jessica's Law

Increase the penalty for lewd and lascivious molestation of a child to life in prison or a split sentence of a mandatory minimum 25-year prison term, followed by lifetime supervision with electronic monitoring.
Increase, from 20 to 30 years, the period of time before a sexual predator is allowed to petition to have the sexual predator designation removed.
Increase sexual predator/offender registration and reporting requirements.
Sexual predators who murder their victims now qualify for the death penalty in capital cases.
Designate failing to re-register as a sexual offender/predator or harboring or assisting a sexual predator/offender a third degree felony.
Require those already convicted of sex crimes to have electronic monitoring for the remainder of their probation.
Require all county misdemeanor probation officials to search the sexual offender registry when a new offender is assigned to them.

Detailed Legislation:

Federal Legislation Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act S. 1086

New Changes to Current Law: General

New Requirements for Sex Offenders:

New State Requirements:

New Federal Requirements:

Compliance:

Bonus Payments: Provides bonus payments to states for complying with this Act sooner than its three-year timeline.
Penalties: Provides a 10 percent reduction in Justice Assistance Grants and certain reductions of Sex Offender Management Assistance Program monies for those states that do not comply.

The Childrenís Safety Act of 2005 HR:

Improves Sex Offender Registration and Notification Program to ensure that sex offenders register, and keep current, where they reside, work and attend school (H. R. 2423 ñ Rep. Foley)
Improves verification systems for sex offender information by requiring monthly verification, sex offender in-person verification every six months, and regular notarized verification mailings (H.R.1505 ñ Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite) Requires States to have a uniform, public access sex offender registration web site (H. R. 2423 ñ Rep. Foley)
Creates Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Web site to search for sex offender information in each community (H. R. 95 ñ Reps.Gillmor and Pomeroy)
Expands sex offenders to include juvenile sex offenders (H. R. 2797 - Rep. Green)Requires States to notify each other when sex offender moves from one State to another (H. R. 2423 ñ Rep. Foley)
Expands sex offenses covered by registration and notification requirements to include military, tribal, foreign, sex crimes, and increases duration of registration requirements to protect the public (H. R. 1355 ñ Rep. Poe)
Expands community notification requirements to include active efforts to inform law enforcement agencies, schools, public housing, social service agencies and volunteer organizations in area where sex offender resides, works or attends school (H. R. 2423- Rep. Foley, and H. R. 1355 ñ Rep. Poe)
Creates new criminal penalty of mandatory minimum of 5 years to maximum of 20 years for sex offender who fails to comply with registration requirements Expands law enforcement use of DNA to solve sex crimes (H. R. 2796 ñRep. Green)
Prevents and deters violent crimes against children and sexual exploitation of children (H. R. 2318 and H. R. 2388 ñ Rep. Green)
Protects foster children from sexual abuse and exploitation ( H.R.3129 - Rep. Delay) Increases criminal penalties against child sexual predators (H. R. ___ - Rep. DeLay, and H. R. 2942, Rep. Graves)

Project Safekids - Megan's Law

2007-10-04T23:10:00.002-07:00

Project Safekids - Megan's Law: "Megan's Law"

2007-10-04T23:10:00.001-07:00

Project Safekids - History of AMBER

History of AMBER

What is the AMBER Alert Plan?

The AMBER Alert Plan is a voluntary partnership between law-enforcement agencies and broadcasters to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child-abduction cases. Broadcasters use the Emergency Alert System (EAS), formerly called the Emergency Broadcast System, to air a description of the abducted child and suspected abductor.

This is the same concept used during severe weather emergencies. The goal of the AMBER Alert is to instantly galvanize the entire community to assist in the search for and safe return of the child.

Why Was the AMBER Plan Created?

The AMBER Alert Plan was created in 1997 as a powerful legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, a bright little girl who was kidnapped and brutally murdered while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas. The tragedy shocked and outraged the entire community. Residents contacted radio stations in the Dallas area and suggested they broadcast special "alerts" over the airwaves so that they could help prevent such incidents in the future. In response to the community's concern for the safety of local children, the Dallas/Fort Worth Association of Radio Managers teamed up with local law-enforcement agencies in northern Texas and developed this innovative early warning system to help find abducted children. Statistics show that time is the enemy in child abductions.

How Does the AMBER Alert Plan Work?

Once law enforcement has been notified about an abducted child, they must first determine if the case meets the AMBER Alert Plan's criteria for triggering an alert. Recognizing the importance of local determination of AMBER Alert criteria, while acknowledging the importance of consistency across the country to help ensure a smooth AMBER Alert system, the U.S. Department of Justice recommends the criteria listed below for AMBER Alert programs nationwide.

There is reasonable belief by law enforcement that an abduction has occurred
The abduction is of a child age 17 years or younger
The law-enforcement agency believes that the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death
There is enough descriptive information about the victim and the abduction for law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert to assist in the recovery of the child
The child's name and other critical data elements, including the Child Abduction flag, have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). If these criteria are met, alert information must be put together for public distribution.This information can include descriptions and pictures of the missing child, the suspected abductor, a suspected vehicle, and any other information available and valuable to identifying the child and suspect.

The information is then faxed to radio stations designated as primary stations under the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The primary stations send the same information to area radio and television stations and cable systems via the EAS, and it is immediately broadcast by participating stations to millions of listeners.

Radio stations interrupt programming to announce the Alert, and television stations and cable systems run a "crawl" on the screen along with a picture of the child. Some states are also incorporating electronic highway billboards in their Plans. The billboards, typically used to disseminate traffic information to drivers, now alert the public of abducted children, displaying pertinent information about the child, abductor or suspected vehicle that drivers might look for on highways.

Source-NCMEC

Regional Names for the Amber

AlertGabriels Gifts - Houston's Regional Amber Alert
Levi's Call - Georgia's Regional Amber Alert
Rachel Alert - Utah's Regional Amber Alert
S.A.R.A.A - St. Louis Area Regional Abduction Alert
MAILE Alert - Honolulu Regional Amber Alert
Morgan Nick Alert - Arkansas Regional Amber Alert

2007-10-04T23:09:00.001-07:00

Project Safekids - AMBER State Coordinators

AMBER State Coordinators

Amber Alert Protocols & Procedures

Once law enforcement has been notified about a missing child, they must first determine if the case meets the criteria for issuing an Amber Alert. Below is a list of factors that are to be met in most instances.

The child is less than 18 years old.
Law enforcement confirms a child has been abducted.
Law enforcement believes the circumstances surrounding the abduction to indicate that the child is in danger of serious bodily harm or death.
There is enough descriptive information about the child, abductor, and/or suspectís vehicle information to believe that issuing an Amber Alert will help investigators locate the child and suspect.

These are general rules of procedure for Law Enforcement. Each individual state is different. For detailed information please consult the specific State's website and/or Amber Alert Coordinator.

Purpose of the AMBER Alert

To rapidly disseminate information about a suspect and child to law enforcement agencies and the public when a child has been abducted.
To gain the assistance of thousands of television viewers and radio listeners throughout the coverage area.

State Amber Alert Coordinators

Alabama

Lt. Ron Short or Faye Hester
Alabama Bureau of Investigation
Phone: (800) 228-7688
Click Here

Alaska

Officer Greg Wilkinson
Alaska State Troopers
Phone: (907) 269-5413
Click Here

Arizona

Art Brooks
Arizona Broadcasters Association
Phone: (602) 252-4833

Arkansas

Cpl. Donnie Belew
Arkansas State Police
Phone: (501) 618-8803
Click Here

California

Rick Linson
California Highway Patrol
Phone: (916) 227-6388
rlinson@chp.ca.gov
Click Here

Colorado

Kristina Koellner
Colorado Bureau of Investigation
Phone: (303) 239-4251
Click Here

Connecticut

Lt. Wayne I. Rioux
Connecticut State Police
Phone: (860) 685-8032
Click Here

Delaware

Lt. Joseph Aviola
Delaware State Police
Phone: (302) 834-2620 Ext: 234
Click Here

Florida

Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Phone: (888) 356-4774
Click Here

Georgia

Vicki Metz
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Phone: (404) 244-2550
Click Here

Hawaii

Hawaii Missing Children's Clearinghouse
Attorney General Office
Phone: (808) 586-1449

Idaho

Idaho Homeland Security
Phone: (208) 334-3460

Illinois

Cinda Lubich
Illinois State Police
Phone: (800) 843-5763
lubichc@isp.state.il.us
Click Here

Indiana

Maj. Dan Meek
Indiana State Police
Phone: (317) 232-8248
Click Here

Iowa

Click Here

Kansas

Kansas Attorney General's Office
785-296-2215
GENERAL@ksag.org
Click Here

Kentucky

Major Mitch Bailey
Kentucky State Police
Phone: (502)-695-6208
Click Here

Louisiana

Louisiana State Police Troop F - Monroe
Phone: (318) 345-0000
Fax: Primary - (318)343-2006
Fax: Secondary- (318) 362-5198
AMBERALERT@dps.state.la.us
Click Here

Maine

Maine Association of Broadcasters
Click Here

Maryland

Carla Proudfoot
Maryland Center for Missing Children
Phone: (800) 637 5437
Click Here

Massachusetts

Marian McGovern
Massachusetts State Police
Phone: (508) 820-2616

Michigan

Sgt. Greg Jones
Michigan State Police
Phone: (517) 333-4017
Click Here

Minnesota

Minnesota Crime Alert Network
Phone: (651) 642-0779
Click Here

Mississippi

Warren Strain
Mississippi Highway Patrol
Phone: (601) 987-1390
wstrain@mdps.state.ms.us
Click Here

Missouri

Department of Public Safety
Phone: (573) 751- 4905
Click Here

Montana

Montana Missing Person Clearinghouse
Phone: (406) 444-1526
Click Here

Nebraska

Nebraska State Patrol
Lincoln, NE 68509

(402) 471-4545

Click Here

Nevada

Rene Hulse
State of Nevada Office of the Attorney General
Phone: (702) 486-3107
rhulse@ag.state.nv.us
Click Here

New Hampshire

Trooper First Class Robert Estabrook
New Hampshire State Police
Phone: (603) 271 2663
Click Here

New Jersey

New Jersey State Police
Phone: (609) 882-2000, Ext: 2894
Click Here

New Mexico

Lt. Robert Shilling
Phone: (505) 939-6830
rshilling@dps.state.nm.us
Click Here

New York

New York State Police
Phone: (518) 457-8678
Click Here

North Carolina

Perry F. Stewart
North Carolina Center for Missing Persons
Phone: (800) 522-5437
Click Here

North Dakota

North Dakota State Patrol
Phone: (701) 328-2455
Click Here

Ohio

Terri Peaks
Ohio Missing Children Clearinghouse
Phone: (800) 325-5604
Click Here

Oklahoma

Matthew McBee
Office of Governor Brad Henry
Phone: (405) 521-2342
Click Here

Oregon

Major Gregory Willeford
Oregon State Police - Bureau of Investigation
Phone: (503) 378-3725, Ext: 4103
Click Here

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania State Police
Phone: (717) 783-0960
Click Here

Rhode Island

Office of Lt Governor Charles J. Fogarty
Phone: 401-222-2371
Office of Atty General Patrick Lynch
Phone: 401-274-4400
Rhode Island State Police
Phone: 401-444-1000
Click Here

South Carolina

Lt. Teresa Woods
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
Phone: (803) 896-7008
twoods@mail.sled.state.sc.us
Click Here

South Dakota

Click Here

Tennessee

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Clearinghouse for Missing Children
Phone: (615) 744-4000
Click Here

Texas

Sam Allen
Texas Department of Public Safety
Phone: (512) 424-2208
sam.allen@txdps.state.tx.us
Click Here

Utah

State of Utah Office of the Attorney General
Click Here

Vermont

Det. Sgt. Mark Lauer
Vermont State Police
Phone: (802) 244-8727
Click Here

Virginia

Lt. Patrick D. Fagan III
Virginia State Police
Phone: (804) 674-2023
pfagan@vsp.state.va.us
Click Here

Washington

Capt. Fred Fakkema
Washington State Patrol
Phone: (360) 753-5299
ffakkema@wsp.wa.gov

West Virginia

West Virginia State Police
Click Here

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Department of Justice
Division of Criminal Investigation
Phone: (608) 266-1671
Click Here
Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Missing & Exploited Children
wimissingkids@doj.state.wi

Wyoming

Tim Olson
Office of the Attorney General
Division of Criminal Investigation

2007-10-04T22:43:00.000-07:00

Here you'll find amber alerts and information on the amber alert.