| Informational Website: |
http://www.dps.state.mn.us/mcan/AmberAlert/index.htm |
| Contact Person: |
Crime Alert Network at (651) 642-0779. |
| Administrating Agency: |
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. |
Participating Agencies and Organizations:
|
Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Division of Emergency Management, Minnesota Association of Broadcasters and various law enforcement agencies in the state of Minnesota. |
| Steps for Activation: |
The Amber Plan is not activated by a law enforcement agency for every child abduction, only when the specific requirements of the plan are met. When the decision to activate an alert has been made, the law enforcement agency contacts the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) to request activation of the Amber Plan. The BCA activates the MN Crime Alert Network (MCAN) and then works in conjunction with the Duty Officer from the Division of Emergency Management to activate the alert over the State Emergency Alert System (EAS). The BCA activates the Amber Alert system through MCAN and contacts the duty officer. The duty officer then activates the EAS. By activating the EAS, information will immediately be delivered to all participating radio and television stations in Minnesota. The Amber Alert is sent only once via the two mediums to all participating stations. The participating stations should then announce the information every 15 minutes for the first two hours, then every half and hour for the next three hours. If the child is recovered during the activation period of the alert, the reporting agency must notify BCA. The individual radio and television stations may follow-up with BCA regarding any questions they have regarding the information. |
| Scope of Amber Alert: |
Statewide. |
| Criteria for Activation: |
The Amber Plan requires law enforcement to meet two criteria when evaluating a non-family child abduction. Police departments must have both parts of the scenario present before activation can occur. The guidelines are as follows: The Amber Plan should be activated when a child 17 years of age or younger is abducted and there is reason to believe the victim is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death; and there is information available to disseminate to the general public, which could assist with the safe recovery of the victim and/or the apprehension of the suspect. |
| Utilizes Emergency Alert System: |
This early warning, distributed by the state radio and television Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the MN Crime Alert Network (MCAN). |
| Reporting Phone Number: |
The public is requested to call 911 to report all law enforcement emergencies. |
| Success Story: |
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