Amber Alert Moves into Michigan

The people of Michigan are launching an important new program to save kids from abduction. Called Amber Alert of Michigan, this is a cooperative effort between the radio and television stations and local law enforcement agencies. Participating agencies provide the media with an alert upon the immediate confirmation of a child abduction. Participating stations break into their regularly scheduled programming to broadcast the alert and any subsequent information.

Amber Alert is named for Amber Hagerman of Arlington, Texas. This eight-year-old girl was abducted from a store parking lot in 1996 and later found murdered. The murderer was never found, but local authorities put together a program to help prevent tragedies like hers from recurring.

Because 95% of all people driving in their cars are listening to their radios, this is an extremely effective way of getting out the message that a child has been abducted, as well as descriptions of the child, the kidnapper, and any vehicle or accomplices.

Proven Child Recovery Programs
Arlington police credit their system with recovering at least six children. For example, in November 1996, after a babysitter abducted an infant, authorities put the system into use. Within 15 minutes of the broadcast, a motorist spotted the woman's pick-up and called police. The child was safely returned.

The people of Arlington and Dallas-Ft. Worth have implemented this program because they know it will work, and they know it is needed. I strongly believe we need this program in Michigan and it is one of my top priorities. I am working along with Robin Trumbull of Marshall-who first brought this program to my attention-the Michigan State Police, and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters to get Amber Alert implemented.

Robin Trumbell's effort actually got its start at a KlaasKids town meeting in Battle Creek, Michigan. That same evening Trumbell formed a small committee of women to put an Amber Alert program into action. They spoke with the police in Arlington, Texas, to gather information, and then went to work.

"From the beginning, we clearly saw that this program must be statewide in order to be fully effective," Robin has said. "A child abducted in Calhoun County could be in any one of three different counties in a matter of minutes. The goal of our program is to protect all of Michigan's children, not just those of Calhoun County."

Robin then came to Washington, D.C. and met with Michigan legislators. That's how I met her. The implications of instituting such a simple, easy-to-use program in our state were clear, and I pledged my support.

Every year in America up to 850,000 children are reported missing. At least one child is abducted in this country every day. In Michigan alone, 1,900 children are currently listed as missing. Too many Michiganians live in fear that their child may be next.

The KlaasKids Foundation Matching Grant
Other states and communities may participate as well. The KlaasKids Foundation is offering a $3,000 matching grant for anyone who will help fund the Michigan program, and Marc Klaas has been working hard to publicize it. In fact, Marc joined me, Robin, and the Michigan State Police to launch Amber Alert of Michigan and urge Michiganians to contribute so that all of our communities can better protect their children. Because of his support and the hard work of Robin Trumbull, we were successful in garnering much support for this program across the state.

We are hoping to make Amber Alert a statewide program, but we still need your help. Please join us by sending your donation to:

New C.A.R.E. Alert Program Models Amber Plan in California. Spring 2000, Vol.6, No.1