updated 6/3/04

Informational Website:	http://www.iowaamberalert.org/
Contact Person:
Administrating Agency:
Participating Agencies and Organizations:
Steps for Activation:	The local law enforcement agency verifies that a child has been abducted and is in danger of serious bodily harm or death. The reporting law enforcement agency contacts Iowa State Patrol Communications and submits an informational packet by FAX with all the required information for the alert. Iowa State Patrol Communications verifies receipt of the AMBER Alert Notification Plan with the reporting/initiating agency, via telephone or IOWA System The AMBER Alert information is sent to all broadcasting companies, the National Weather Service and the Department of Transportation. The broadcasters, National Weather Service, Department of Transportation and Iowa Lottery broadcast the information to the general public. The general public should contact a law enforcement agency if they can provide any information that would help in locating the child and/or abductor.
Scope of Amber Alert:	Statewide.
Criteria for Activation:	Law enforcement confirms a child has been abducted. The child is under the age of 18. Law enforcement believes the circumstances surrounding the abduction indicate that the child is in danger of serious bodily harm or death. There is enough descriptive information about the child, abductor, and/or suspect’s vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will help.
Utilizes Emergency Alert System:	The Iowa Amber Alert Plan distributes Amber Alert messages using the Emergency Alert System (EAS). An Amber Alert can ONLY be activated by law enforcement.
Reporting Phone Number:
Success Story:	On December 11, 2002 at 8:16 am the state of Nebraska issued their first AMBER Alert regarding 9-month-old Brodjinique Dunn. A white Jeep Cherokee with Nebraska plates was stolen from a gas station in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The theft occurred when the driver, Brodjinique's grandmother, went to pay for gas. In the back seat of the vehicle was the victim, a 9-month-old baby in a car seat. The state of Nebraska issued their first AMBER Alert since the mother, an Omaha resident, had driven across the state line to buy gas at a Council Bluffs gas station. Since Iowa's Amber Alert was not yet in place, members of the Iowa Department of Pubic Safety partnered with authorities in Nebraska to notify Iowa Broadcasters of the Nebraska Amber Alert. Word was received that the vehicle had been abandoned in an alley in Omaha, Nebraska. The child was found unhurt in the back of the vehicle just before 11 am. It was unknown whether the individual who stole the vehicle was influenced by the AMBER Alert, but authorities said it helped.