Amateur Radio and the Amber Alert System
CURRENT AMBER ALERTS!
I'd like to address some inadequacies I feel exist in the
Amber Alert System. First off, however, let me point out,
the system currently in place is excellent, in my opinion, so
I am not criticizing it, there's some fine-tuning
that could be made.
Let me give you an example of what I mean: I'm a highly-active
member of ARES, Amateur Radio Emergency Service. If you want to know
more about amateur (ham radio) radio, click here.
Hams across the county monitor and communicate on several
repeater and simplex frequencies at their fixed and mobile
statons. Repeaters cover vast localized areas of the United
States. That makes for a large number of eyes and ears that
could be called to action. Sadly, in many areas, the ONLY way
amateur operators usually learn of an Amber Alert (if they're
lucky) is through the local news media, or copying
down the information from a law enforcement channel, then
re-broadcasting it on local amateur frequencies.
I can't listen to my police scanner all day, watch television,
or listen to commercial radio stations, or sit in front of my computer. This presents a problem,
actually, as timely information - that should be put "on the
air" - is missed.
Relying upon local law enforcement to FAX over Amber Alerts
presents other issues: Believe me, those guys and gals are
pretty busy at dispatch, for example.
I know hams are quite willing to participate. On every occasion,
I've broadcast an Amber Alert on amateur frequencies,
operators check in to acknowledge reception of the bulletin.
I'm not honesty sure what the solution is. I just feel this is a
matter that - somehow - needs to addressed.
Just so you'll know, here's a bit of history regarding the
outstanding Amber Alert System, which stands for America's Missing:
Broadcast Emergency Response.
Ity was created as a legacy to 9-year old Amber Hagerman,
kidnapped while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas,
and then brutally murdered. In 1996 Dallas-Fort Worth
commercial broadcasters teamed up with local law enforcement,
developing the early warning system to help find abducted
children. The idea was implemeneted nationwide, and The
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, as well as
and the U.S. Department of Justice took responsibility for
coordination at the national level.
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