Change To Amber Alert System Takes Effect January 1st

The Michigan State Police is implementing a major change to Amber Alert, beginning January 1st, 2017.

Starting with the new year, Amber Alerts will only be issues in child abduction case for children under the age of 18. All Amber Alerts will now be transmitted via Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA).

Currently Amber Alerts are also issued for missing children with severe mental or physical disabilities who wandered away and were unable to care for themselves.

The goal is to focus Amber Alerts on the most dire of situations. An alternative for missing children of all ages who don't meet those criteria is an Endangered Missing Advisory, for which there is no age restriction.

Endangered Missing Advisory is a notice sent to broadcast and print media in the geographic area of the incident, but unlike an AMBER Alert, this advisory does not utilize the Emergency Alert System to interrupt broadcasting and it will not be sent to mobile devices as a WEA.

Michigan’s AMBER Alert is a partnership among the MSP, Michigan Association of Broadcasters, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Michigan Sheriff’s Association and Michigan Department of Transportation. - Michigan State :Police