The Silver Alert situation had alot of chat in earlier threads and I don't recall where it ended up TTYTT. But CT has few options in missing cases to broadly distribute messages quickly and unlike other states choose to use Silver Alerts sometimes. NCPD couldn't use Amber Alert so the only option left I belive was Silver Alert. My guess is that NCPD used Silver Alert as a tool as it is one of the few available ways to broadcast widely. NCPD never explained why they chose to use Silver Alert so this is all speculation too.
But if you are interested in the topic there were many people that had great information and contributed it to the prior discussion and in much greater detail than I am offering up here.
Here is the info from the State about Silver Alert (dated from 2010):
August 13, 2010
2010-R-0347
CONNECTICUT'S SILVER ALERT SYSTEM
By: Nicole Dube, Associate Analyst
You asked about Connecticut's Silver Alert system. Specifically, you wanted to know the process used to access the system.
Silver Alert systems help identify and locate missing seniors with cognitive impairments. Modeled after the federal Amber Alert system for abducted children, Silver Alert systems are emergency notification systems in which law enforcement agencies broadcast local, regional, or statewide public alerts for missing seniors and other individuals with cognitive impairments, including Alzheimer's disease. Broadcasts may be issued using radio, television, and electronic highway signs.
2009 legislation required the Connecticut Department of Public Safety's (DPS) Missing Child Information Clearinghouse to establish a system to help locate missing individuals who are (1) seniors age 65 and older or (2) mentally impaired adults at least 18 years old (PA 09-109). DPS implemented the system on July 1, 2009.
In order to access the system, an individual must file a missing person report with the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction. The local law enforcement agency then completes and sends a DPS form requesting a Silver Alert to the DPS Communications Center. DPS staff take the information, picture (if available), and local law enforcement agency contact information and make a flyer that is sent to radio and television media outlets and approximately 2,800 Connecticut Lottery system retailers. Alerts are posted on digital billboards in the search area but are not posted on Department of Transportation road signs.
To date, 31 Silver Alerts have been reported to the DPS Communications Center. It is important to note that mentally impaired children ages 15 through 17 are not covered under the Amber or Silver Alert systems. DPS, broadcasters, and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association are working on a voluntary Missing Person Advisory to handle these cases.
OLR Report
2009-R-0008 describes Silver Alert systems in other states.
ND:ts
CONNECTICUT’S SILVER ALERT SYSTEM
2. Sturbridge banging. I keep thinking about these reports alot. I wonder if any of the neighbors or the dog sitter called NCPD to report the noise or if the info came to the NCPD after the fact? So many possibilities I think but sadly no information beyond the few sentences in MSM.
MOO