How Does the AMBER Plan Work? Once law enforcement has been notified about an abducted child, they must first determine if the case meets the AMBER Plan’s criteria for triggering an alert. Each program establishes its own AMBER Plan criteria; however, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children suggests three criteria that should be met before an Alert is activated. 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).
What is Amateur Radio's Role? The primary amateur radio role is of an ordinary citizen. Common sense dictates a child abduction incident is a law enforcement matter and those outside of law enforcement should take a secondary role and observe and report. Much like our role during severe weather, we observe and report, and not "chase" the storm. If you come into contact with the suspect do not try to intervene. You should consider the suspect as a danger to yourself and others. Trying to capture or pursue the suspect could result in injury or death to you, the child, and/or innocent bystanders. The only action you should take is to notify your local law enforcement agency. If you want to take an active role, take a moment during the time you call the police and they arrive to write down anything you observed. This information would include descriptions, license numbers, and other facts that will be important to identifying and apprehending the suspect. Human memory is volatile, and in the time between your call, and your interview with police officers facts can be forgotten, or confused with other facts you are trying to relay to them. Amateur radio can also serve another role in assisting law enforcement agencies to identify and apprehend a child abductor. We have the ability to communicate information very quickly through a number of means. Don't be afraid to communicate the information to other amateur radio operators, and encourage them to contact police if they observe the suspect. The key to the AMBER system is to provide as many eyes and ears as possible to help the police. If you have an existing relationship with your local police officials, offer your assistance in acting as an organized group of extra eyes. Work with them to develop a protocol where you might have an amateur respond to police headquarters, and conduct a net of observers. Do not do this on your own. Establish a relationship and have a working plan with the agency before considering this, otherwise you will be a hindrance instead of a help. Above all else, remember that you must let your local law enforcement agency take the lead in the situation and follow their instruction to the letter. In a child abduction situation, we are only ordinary citizens. If the police agency politely refuses amateur radio assistance, thank them for their time, and continue on your way. Do remember, however to report any sightings of the suspect. It is the welfare of the child that takes priority over all other considerations. Additional information can be obtained from the following links:
FCC Consumer Alert: AMBER Plan |