Police hope plan will find missing children
Nicole Lawfer
Issue date: 2/11/02 Section: News
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The U.S. Department of Justice states that one in every 42 children will be reported as a missing child. In an effort to reduce that number, the state of Illinois recently adopted the AMBER Plan to notify the general public of the child's disappearance almost immediately after it is reported.
The America's Missing Broadcast Emergency Response, or AMBER, Plan established a coordinated communication system for Illinois law enforcement agencies to quickly inform broadcasters about an abducted child and the available facts regarding the alleged abductor.
Illinois Gov. George Ryan announced the state's intentions to implement the system last August when it was signed into law, but the plan was not put into effect until Jan. 1, 2002.
"The abduction of a child is one of society's cruelest crimes. This plan involves a partnership with Illinois law enforcement, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and broadcasters that will no doubt make our communities safer for our children," Ryan said.
The AMBER program was founded in 1996 after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted while playing near her home in Arlington, Texas, and found murdered hours later.
"We cannot have enough tools available to help us recover abducted and endangered children. The quicker information about an abduction gets out, the better the chance of a child's safe return," Illinois State Police Director Sam W. Nolen said.
The AMBER Plan was devised to search for children under the age of 16 or those who are mentally or physically disabled and believed to be in danger of serious bodily harm or death.
At this time only three other states - Arkansas, Florida and Oklahoma - have adopted the AMBER plan statewide. Other areas have implemented the plan in local and regional levels.
The Illinois State Police believe that the best way to prevent the abduction of a child is through educating the child of the dangers they may face. They suggest parents talk to their children about what to do when a stranger approaches them and where they will be able to get help if they are in danger.
For more information on the AMBER Plan or child safety tips, contact the Illinois State Police or log on to www.isp.state.il.us.
The America's Missing Broadcast Emergency Response, or AMBER, Plan established a coordinated communication system for Illinois law enforcement agencies to quickly inform broadcasters about an abducted child and the available facts regarding the alleged abductor.
Illinois Gov. George Ryan announced the state's intentions to implement the system last August when it was signed into law, but the plan was not put into effect until Jan. 1, 2002.
"The abduction of a child is one of society's cruelest crimes. This plan involves a partnership with Illinois law enforcement, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and broadcasters that will no doubt make our communities safer for our children," Ryan said.
The AMBER program was founded in 1996 after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted while playing near her home in Arlington, Texas, and found murdered hours later.
"We cannot have enough tools available to help us recover abducted and endangered children. The quicker information about an abduction gets out, the better the chance of a child's safe return," Illinois State Police Director Sam W. Nolen said.
The AMBER Plan was devised to search for children under the age of 16 or those who are mentally or physically disabled and believed to be in danger of serious bodily harm or death.
At this time only three other states - Arkansas, Florida and Oklahoma - have adopted the AMBER plan statewide. Other areas have implemented the plan in local and regional levels.
The Illinois State Police believe that the best way to prevent the abduction of a child is through educating the child of the dangers they may face. They suggest parents talk to their children about what to do when a stranger approaches them and where they will be able to get help if they are in danger.
For more information on the AMBER Plan or child safety tips, contact the Illinois State Police or log on to www.isp.state.il.us.