47A - Amber Alert 2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Policy & Procedure Page 1 of 4 Lexington Police Department Subject: Amber Alert System Policy Number: 47A Accreditation Standards: Reference: 41.2.6; 46.1.2 Effective Date: 3/11/13  New  Revised Revision Dates: 1/24/19 By Order of: Mark J. Corr, Chief of Police GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND GUIDELINES The AMBER Alert is a critical missing child response program that utilizes the resources of law enforcement and media to notify the public as quickly as possible when children are kidnapped by predators. This program is designed to help authorities respond effectively during the first three hours of a kidnap situation, which statistics show are the most critical. The goal of the program is to increase the chances of recovering abducted and endangered children. Although the scope of the AMBER Alert varies, the criteria for activation are fairly consistent. Law enforcement activates an AMBER Alert by notifying broadcast media with relevant identifying and case information when circumstances meet the criteria. An AMBER Alert should only be used for serious abduction cases. It should not normally be used for runaway or parental abduction cases, the two leading causes of missing children. The only cause for an alert under these circumstances would be if law enforcement believes the life of the child is in serious danger (e.g. if a parent threatened to harm the child and this information can be verified). Each case will need to be judged on an individual basis. The plan is critical as it: • Encourages partnership between law enforcement and media by drawing on their inherent strengths • Is an effective “time critical” response to kidnappers who can disappear with children at the rate of a mile per minute • Sends a powerful message to “wanna-be-kidnappers” that this is a community that cares about and protects children • Saves lives