Amber Alert
In 1996, nine-year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted while playing near her home in Arlington, Texas, and later found murdered. In response to community concern, the Texas Association of Radio Managers, with the assistance of Texas local area law enforcement, created the first AMBER Alert Plan. All fifty states now have similar plans.
The Illinois AMBER Alert Notification Plan is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement agencies, broadcasters, and the National Weather Service to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child abduction cases. This is the same concept used during severe weather emergencies. The goal of the AMBER Alert is to instantly galvanize the entire community to assist in the search for and safe return of the child.
History – Illinois
In January 2002, Illinois was the fifth state to develop a statewide plan and the first state to enact specific AMBER Alert legislation.
Enhanced Illinois legislation, passed in July 2003, included the appointment of a Child Safety Coordinator, the establishment of an AMBER Plan Task Force, use of Illinois Department of Transportation electronic message signs, a community outreach program, child abduction prevention in school curricula, and training for law enforcement personnel.
The Illinois State Police has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the state of Wisconsin and an Inter-State MOU for the activation of an alert that may cross other state lines.
The South Holland Police Department wants our Community to have the knowledge and information needed to assist law enforcement in the location of abducted children. By clicking on the link below you will be connected to the Illinois AMBER Alert webpage which will provide details of all active AMBER Alerts as well as further information about the program.