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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
The Wireless Industry and The NCMEC Join the U.S. DOJ in Recognizing AMBER Alert Awareness Day
Washingtn, DC - AMBER Alert Awareness Day takes place on January 13, the thirteenth anniversary of a tragic child abduction in Texas that was the catalyst for the creation of the AMBER Alert program.
In recognition of this important day, the wireless industry and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) join the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in recognizing the success of the AMBER Alert program and reminding citizens of the vital role they can play to aid in the recovery of abducted children by registering to receive Wireless AMBER Alerts™.
“AMBER Alert Awareness Day is an important reminder for all of us to renew our efforts in making child protection a national priority,” said Steve Largent, President and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association® and President of The Wireless Foundation. “Thanks to innovative wireless technology, we can all participate in the search and rescue of an abducted child by signing up to receive Wireless AMBER Alerts™—free text messages notifying folks of the emergency situation wherever they are.”
There is no charge to enroll in the Wireless AMBER Alerts program, and no charge for any AMBER Alerts that are delivered. Information provided at enrollment is used only for Wireless AMBER Alerts. AMBER stands for “America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response” and was created in 1996 when Dallas-Fort Worth broadcasters teamed with local police to develop an early warning system to find abducted children. The AMBER Alert program was soon adopted across the nation and is a legacy to Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl who was kidnapped while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas, and then murdered. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have since established AMBER Alert programs.
“In 13 years, we have seen a single, local program grow into a powerful national network,” said Jeffrey L. Sedgwick, Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs, who also serves as the National AMBER Alert Coordinator. “Amber’s tragedy sparked the creation of the AMBER Alert program, now one of the most effective tools employed to protect children.”
Wireless subscribers whose wireless carrier participates in the Wireless AMBER Alerts Initiative, may opt in to receive Alerts by completing a simple registration process at www.wirelessamberalerts.org. Alternatively, most wireless subscribers can simply text the word “AMBER” followed by a space and their 5-digit ZIP Code to 26237. Then when an AMBER Alert is issued for an abducted child in the area that you’ve chosen, you’ll receive a free text message.
“Amber’s legacy lives on through the lives of the 432 children the program has saved,” said Ernie Allen, NCMEC President and CEO. “Wireless AMBER Alerts is a major contribution to the AMBER Alert program, and will help to continue to save the lives of abducted children.”
Collectively, participating wireless carriers serve 96 percent of all wireless customers in the United States.
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