It was created after the 1996 abduction and murder of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman.
When a child is reported abducted, the alert is broadcast via television, radio, cell phone, the Internet, and even electronic billboards. The alert includes information about what the child and her possible abductor look like (if known), the clothing the child was most recently wearing, and a description of the possible abductor’s car.
Amber alerts are issued as the quickest way to intercept an abductor because they are instant and long-reaching. Time is vital in abduction cases.
AMBER has also been adapted to an acronym: America’s Missing: Emergency Broadcast Response.
Note: Amber alert involves a child. Silver alert involves an elderly person or person over age of 55
For more information:
America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response