Nation Observes Amber Alert Anniversary
AUSTIN (AP) - Texas Department of Public Safety officials are joining law enforcement around the nation in observing National Amber Alert Awareness Day.
Amber alert, which stands for "American's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response," was created by DFW area law enforcement and media representatives in 1996. It followed the kidnapping and slaying of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman.
Since then, every state has adopted the program. Texas Gov. Rick Perry established the Texas Amber Alert in 2002, complementing existing programs already in place.
National Amber Alert Awareness Day
From its inception, the Texas Amber Alert program has been activated 109 times and has helped recover 124 children.
Amber Alert's 18th anniversary is Monday.
The Texas DPS said that should a child go missing, the public should immediately call the authorities and provide them with a recent photo of the child.
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