Thanks for the Amber Alert Info Dreamweaver!!
But I must admit, I'm still vexed about the whole alert...even their criteria is ambiguous if you ask me.
Also, if ALL the criteria has to be present, it's a wonder we get any Amber Alerts at all. To me, I think some sort of alert (perhaps a new one is needed besides Amber Alert) needs to go out IMMEDIATELY if a child is under a certain age. Isn't it reasonable to think that a 4 year old that is missing is somehow in imminent danger? Plaster that baby's face EVERYWHERE and I think we would see more happy endings than we do now? But to say that LE has to think he's in imminent danger, PLus have description, PLUS think they were kidnapped...I mean, if a child under 5 disappears, no matter what the circumstances, the public should be immediately notified!
As far as Marc is concerned, even if LE thought the BF was responsible from the get-go, they only THOUGHT it..they don't KNOW it. The fact that marc is 4 and missing, should have been enough to instigate an Amber Alert IMO. What LE in their right mind would think that's normal? Or that the child isn't in imminent danger?
I see from an above poster that LE is requesting security tapes NOW...gee, if an Amber would have went out the DAY he disappeared, perhaps somebody's tape would be relevant. Tapes requested days later have the possibility of being taped over.
This is from the Amber Alert Website
Age of Child
Every state adopt the 17 years of age or younger standard; or, at a minimum, agree to honor the request of any other state to issue an AMBER Alert, even if the case does not meet the responding states age criterion, as long as it meets the age criterion of the requesting state. Most AMBER plans call for activation of the alert for children under a certain age. The problem is that age can vary---some plans specify 10, some 12, some 14, 15, and 16. Differences in age requirements create confusion when an activation requires multiple alerts across states and jurisdictions. Overuse of the AMBER Alert system will undermine its effectiveness as a tool for recovering abducted children.
First, I'd like to know how overuse would undermine its effectiveness. Even if you saw 2 alerts a day for a young child, would you not look at the picture? Would you not read it? Of course not..most of us would. They're showing a pic of a child who is MISSING. Most people would not get "sick of " seeing pics of missing children, thereby reducing the effectiveness.
Second, why at the age of 4 did Marc not warrant an Alert? Particularly when the Amber site says that their criteria are RECOMMENDATIONS, not carved in stone. It's basically up to LE of that jurisdiction to issue one..so SHAME ON THEM that they didn't! Who knows if the moron BF just dumped Marc out in the woods, or in a field, maybe if an alert went out SOMEONE would have seen him! Or at least been looking!
Guidelines for Issuing AMBER Alerts
Every successful AMBER plan contains clearly defined activation criteria. The following guidance is designed to achieve a uniform, interoperable network of plans across the country, and to minimize potentially deadly delays because of confusion among varying jurisdictions. The following are criteria recommendations:
Law Enforcement Confirms an Abduction
AMBER plans require law enforcement to confirm an abduction prior to issuing an alert. This is essential when determining the level of risk to the child. Clearly, stranger abductions are the most dangerous for children and thus are primary to the mission of an AMBER Alert. To allow activations in the absence of significant information that an abduction has occurred could lead to abuse of the system and ultimately weaken its effectiveness. At the same time, each case must be appraised on its own merits and a judgment call made quickly. Law enforcement must understand that a best judgment approach, based on the evidence, is appropriate and necessary.
Risk of Serious Bodily Injury or Death
Plans require a child be at risk for serious bodily harm or death before an alert can be issued. This element is clearly related to law enforcements recognition that stranger abductions represent the greatest danger to children. The need for timely, accurate information based on strict and clearly understood criteria is critical, again keeping in mind the best judgment approach.
Sufficient Descriptive Information
For an AMBER Alert to be effective in recovering a missing child, the law enforcement agency must have enough information to believe that an immediate broadcast to the public will enhance the efforts of law enforcement to locate the child and apprehend the suspect. This element requires as much descriptive information as possible about the abducted child and the abduction, as well as descriptive information about the suspect and the suspects vehicle. Issuing alerts in the absence of significant information that an abduction has occurred could lead to abuse of the system and ultimately weaken its effectiveness.
Age of Child
Every state adopt the 17 years of age or younger standard; or, at a minimum, agree to honor the request of any other state to issue an AMBER Alert, even if the case does not meet the responding states age criterion, as long as it meets the age criterion of the requesting state. Most AMBER plans call for activation of the alert for children under a certain age. The problem is that age can vary---some plans specify 10, some 12, some 14, 15, and 16. Differences in age requirements create confusion when an activation requires multiple alerts across states and jurisdictions. Overuse of the AMBER Alert system will undermine its effectiveness as a tool for recovering abducted children.
NCIC Data Entry
Immediately enter AMBER Alert data into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system. Text information describing the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the child should be entered, and the case flagged as a Child Abduction. Many plans do not mandate entry of the data into NCIC, but this omission undermines the entire mission of the AMBER Alert initiative. The notation on the entry should be sufficient to explain the circumstances of the disappearance of the child. Entry of the alert data into NCIC expands the search for an abducted child from the local, state, or regional level to the national. This is a critical element of any effective AMBER Alert plan
This just really sticks in my craw that no Alert was issued for him. Hayleigh Cummings went missing Tuesday night (gee, much like Marc! A missing child and an open door!) and an Amber Alert was issued, local, state AND the FBI were searching for her the day she went missing! Hmmm...anyone care to guess at what the difference between the two are, why Hayleigh got an Amber and Marc did not, particularly since the circumstances of their disappearances, their ages, and the fact that they were both with "caretakers" are so similar??
raying:
