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| Law enforcement and broadcasters announce partnership to locate abducted children |
April 11, 2001 |
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“Amber Alert” will use the Emergency Alert System after a child abduction
Albuquerque, NM - Radio and television stations are about to use their collective power to help abducted children in Albuquerque. Congresswoman Heather Wilson today joined local law enforcement officials and New Mexico television and radio broadcasters to announce the partnership.
Officials from the Albuquerque Police Department and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s office have worked hand-in-hand with the New Mexico Broadcasters Association throughout the last months to implement the “Amber Alert,” a partnership that will utilize the state’s “Emergency Alert System” in the event a child is kidnapped and police have a description of the abductor and his or her vehicle.
When police believe that a child has been abducted by a stranger, they will notify the local station designated to activate the federal Emergency Alert System, which will in turn issue Amber Alerts to all other participating media outlets.
A description of the missing child, the abductor (if it is available), any vehicle involved, and other key information could be disseminated to hundreds of thousands of people within minutes of the abduction, greatly increasing the chances the child will be found alive. Cases of runaways and intrafamilial or custodial abductions will not generally activate the system.
Last October, Wilson, a member of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, passed a resolution on the House floor urging communities around the country to implement the Amber Alert. Since passage of Wilson’s resolution, Wilson and her staff have been laying the groundwork in New Mexico for implementation of the plan.
“This partnership between broadcasters and law enforcement will create a huge neighborhood watch program,” said Wilson. “We know from tragic experience that when a child is kidnapped, every second counts. Once those familiar emergency tones go out over New Mexico airwaves, hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans will hear information that could save a child’s life. It will mobilize the eyes and ears of every person listening to a radio or watching a television,” said Wilson of the Amber Plan’s potential effectiveness as an added tool for New Mexico law enforcement.
The program - called "Amber Alert" in remembrance of murdered Texas child Amber Hagerman - will allow authorities to cut into broadcasts to issue alerts. It`s based on a model from Arlington, Texas that is in use elsewhere in that state, as well as Michigan, Oklahoma, and California. Once implemented, law enforcement will have the ability to take advantage of the existing broadcast network known as the “Emergency Alert System” in cases where a child is abducted by a stranger and believed to be in immediate danger, and the police have some description to look for.
“I think that the Albuquerque Police Department, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department, and radio and television stations deserve a lot of credit for their willingness to work together and implement the Amber Plan,” says the federal lawmaker.
Mary Ellen Merrigan spoke on behalf of the Albuquerque Radio Broadcasters Association and says radio can be a powerful tool for law enforcement. “We know that at least 98% of people in their cars listen to the radio. The advantage of the Amber Alert is that it’s instant and can, without delay, mobilize an entire community as an extension to law enforcement. That’s powerful. I commend Congresswoman Wilson and New Mexico law enforcement and broadcasters for their foresight in implementing the Amber Alert.”
Eric Steffens is the President of the Albuquerque Television Broadcasters Association and he agrees that this is a public service that could save a life. “Radio and television stations in New Mexico make a very serious commitment to public service. We saw the power of television in mobilizing this entire state during last year’s Cerro Grande fire. There’s no doubt this is another thing we can do as responsible broadcasters to contribute to New Mexico and potentially save a life.”
“I hope we never have to use the Amber Alert. I think every parent will certainly tell you that,” said Chief Jerry Galvin of the Albuquerque Police Department. “But the reality is, it can happen. We want to be able to respond with every single resource we have available to us, and the Amber Alert will allow us to instantly mobilize radio listeners and TV viewers like never before. That’s community policing at it’s best.”
Bernalillo County Sheriff Joe Bowdich agrees. “When a child is abducted, every second counts. I can’t tell you what a difference it makes to enlist the help of our entire community. I hope we’ll never have to activate this abduction alert. But if we do, it could make the difference in recovering a child alive.”
Participating in today’s press conference were:
Mary Ellen Merrigan-Entravision Radio Group (KRZY 1450 AM, KRZY 105.9 FM)
Eric Steffens-KASA Fox TV-2
Mike Burgess-KOB TV-4
John Greenwood-WB 19 & UPN 50
Frank Lilly for Bill Anderson-KRQE TV-13
Mary Lynn Roper-KOAT TV-7
Luis Hernandez-KLUZ TV-41
Bruce Pollack-Simmons Radio (KKSS 97.7 FM, KIOT 102.5 FM, KIVA 1600 AM, KRQS 101.3 FM, KCHQ 105.1 FM, KQEO 101.7 FM)
Cindy Schloss-Clear Channel Radio (KABQ 1350 AM, KBQI 107.9 FM, KLSK 104.1 FM, KPEK 100.3 KPEK, KSYU 95.1 FM, KTEG 104.7 FM, KZRR 94.1 FM, KXKS 1190 AM
Scott Hutton-AGM Radio Group (KABG 98.5 FM, KKIM 1000 AM, KLVO 97.7 FM, KMMG 95.5 FM, KYLZ 106.3 FM
Art Ortega for Gail Shaw-Citadel Radio Group (KKOB 770 AM, KOB 93.3 FM, 92.3 KRST, THE SPORTS ANIMAL 610 AM, 103.3 K-BULL, 1050 AM)
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