LANSING. The success of Michigan’s Amber Alert program was celebrated today at a press conference at the State Capitol. On hand to discuss the program were First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern and representatives from the Michigan State Police, Michigan Association of Broadcasters, Michigan Department of Transportation, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association.

"With 35 successes in just over two years, Michigan’s Amber Alert program is a model for other states and a blessing for parents," Mulhern said. "This program is a great example of a partnership that works among law enforcement, state agencies, the private sector and citizens, all of whom work together to turn our collective fear into collective will and rally together with great strength to protect our children."

Michigan’s Amber Alert program, which was first used in June of 2001, is a voluntary cooperative effort between law enforcement and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters to quickly publicize cases of abducted or endangered missing children. Considering that the first twenty-four hours in a missing child or an abduction case is critical, having the means to alert the public via the broadcast media seven days a week, 24-hours a day, greatly enhances law enforcement’s ability to safely locate endangered missing children.

"The Michigan Association of Broadcasters is pleased to participate in Michigan’s Amber Alert program," stated Jeffrey Scarpelli, MAB Board of Directors, President/Owner of Mentor Partners, Inc./WYBR-FM. "We are particularly proud that over 90% of our members have voluntarily agreed to interrupt their programming to air Amber Alert messages to the millions of Michigan citizens who listen and watch radio and television every day. This is just one more way Michigan broadcasters serve their communities."

Michigan’s Amber Alert program has been activated for 39 abducted or endangered missing children cases, with 35 activations resulting in the safe return of the child.

"Amber Alert is a valuable tool for law enforcement in the search and recovery of abducted and endangered missing children," stated Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant, Director of the Michigan State Police. "By enlisting the help of broadcasters and citizens, law enforcement gains thousands of eyes and ears, which often results in a lost child being returned home safely."

To further aid in the quick dissemination of Amber Alert messages, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has announced that they will begin broadcasting Amber Alert messages on their 69 electronic Changeable Message Signs located throughout the state.

"MDOT is pleased to announce that our Changeable Message Signs are now being used to help protect children and families as part of the Amber Alert program," Gloria J. Jeff, Director of MDOT. "Since we already use our changeable message signs to help protect motorists on Michigan roads, the Amber Alert partnership is a logical extension of MDOT’s mission to work with other state agencies and provide the best possible transportation system for every Michigan resident and visitor."

After reviewing all previous Amber Alert activations, changes were made to the activation protocol to increase its effectiveness, such as changing the age limit from 18 to 17 years of age. Additional guidelines were also added to the activation protocol to ensure that an Amber Alert is only issued in those cases where:

• The child is in the company of a person who has a confirmed history of child abuse/neglect, sexual assault, domestic assault or a crime involving victimization of children; or
• The person with the child has made statements of intent to harm the child or is suicidal; or
• The child has been taken by a non-custodial parent whose parental rights have been terminated by a court; or
• The child has a severe mental or physical disability that greatly impairs the child’s ability to care for his or herself.
  

"With our increasingly mobile society, it is incumbent that law enforcement agencies have open lines of communication to effectively mobilize all of our resources," stated Thomas A. Hendrickson, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. "Amber Alert carries this capability further by enlisting Michigan’s broadcast media who reach out to the general public to locate missing or endangered children. This synergy has insured the success of the Amber Alert program."

Michigan’s Amber Alert program is one of several tools available to law enforcement in the search for missing children. When a missing child case does not fit the criteria for Michigan’s Amber Alert program, there are other programs such as TRAK, Eagle Eye/Child Net Program and LOCATER that can be used by law enforcement.

"When minutes may mean the difference between success or failure, life and death, we need every advantage we can get," said Terrence L. Jungel, Executive Director, Michigan Sheriffs’ Association. "We owe it to the victims and we owe it to our oath."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Sgt. Greg Jones, Michigan State Police, Prevention Services Section, (517) 333-4017

Karole White, President, Michigan Association of Broadcasters, (517) 484-7444

Mary Dettloff, Office of the First Gentleman, (517) 335-6397

Benjamin Kohrman, Director of Communications, Michigan Department of Transportation, (517) 335-3084