What is the purpose of AMBER Alert?

• A. To alert the public after 24 hours.
• B. To alert only law enforcement.
• C. To broadcast to the public critical information about a missing or abducted child as quickly as possible via radio, television, road signs, text messages and alerts, and the internet.
• D. To restrict information to official channels.

Answer: (C)

AMBER Alert is a rapid public alert system designed to quickly broadcast critical information about a missing or abducted child to the public in order to enlist help in locating the child and the suspect. It uses multiple channels—radio, television, road signs, text messages and alerts, and the internet—so information reaches as many people as possible as fast as possible. This fast, broad dissemination is essential because the child may be in immediate danger and tips from the public can lead to a swift resolution. The purpose is not to wait 24 hours, not limited to law enforcement, and not restricted to official channels.