Background: In 1996, 9-year old Amber Hagerman was kidnapped and brutally murdered in Arlington, Texas. Amber's tragic death had such a profound impact on her community and throughout northern Texas that it prompted regional law enforcement agencies and the Dallas/Fort Worth Association of Radio Managers to develop this innovative emergency alert plan to help recover abducted children. They named it the "Amber Plan", and it has since been embraced by communities across the country.
The Amber Alert! Plan, now operating in 9 states, nationwide, is a voluntary partnership between law-enforcement agencies and broadcasters to send out an emergency alert to the public when a child has been abducted and it is believed that the child's life is in grave danger! Under the Amber Plan!, participating Louisiana radio and television stations will interrupt programming to broadcast information about the abducted child, using the Emergency Alert System (EAS).


  • Louisiana's Amber Alert! Plan will only be activated upon authorization by the Louisiana State Police
  • It will be used ONLY for serious child abduction cases
  • It will NOT be used for runaway or most parental abduction cases unless the circumstance is life-
        threatening to the child.


    Certain criteria MUST be met before an Amber Alert! is activated:

  • Law enforcement confirms a child has been abducted
  • Law enforcement believes the circumstances surrounding the abduction indicate that the child is in
        danger of serious bodily harm or death
  • There must be enough descriptive information about the child, abductor, and/or suspect's vehicle to
        believe an immediate broadcast alert will help the case.


    The Amber Alert Plan works because it INSTANTLY galvanizes the community to assist in the search for a child and his or her abductor before it's too late! The public plays an ESSENTIAL role in the Amber Alert! Plan's success . . . . . and ONLY Broadcasters have the ability to IMMEDIATELY notify the public when a child has been abducted!

    Amber Alert Plans, across the nation, have been tremendously successful in the recovery of abducted children. According to figures compiled by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), as of October, in 2001, Amber Plans around the United States have assisted in the recovery of 16 children. Since that report, the numbers have increased dramatically. One state recently announced a 100% success rate. Since implementation of its plan, eleven (11) months ago, the alert has been activated eighteen (18) times . . . ALL 18 children were returned safely to their homes. Incredible!

    The Amber Alert Plan is not only successful in the recovery of abducted children, but also acts as a deterrent to this type of crime. It sends a strong message that crimes against children are intolerable and that law enforcement, broadcasters, and the public, working together, have the power to rescue abducted children and apprehend their predators.

    According to a study by the United States Department of Justice, 74% of the children who are kidnapped and later found murdered were killed within the first three hours after being taken. That statistic alone should prompt every Louisiana broadcaster and every law enforcement agency in the State of Louisiana to join in our effort to protect our children.