National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

Belle wrote:National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

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Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to post an e-mail response that I received from NCMEC regarding cell phone carriers informing the public of missing children and their response. Of course, start at the bottom and work your way up. Take a read and state your opinion;


"Bob, thanks so much for your explanation. I do understand, especially about being desensitized. I was just curious about the reasoning behind why cell companies don't automatically send out a message. Perhaps it could be considered for only those abducted children, which are in the greatest danger, as you mentioned. I'm sure you all have thought of this as well."

Sincerely,


Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2007 1:04 PM
Subject: RE: Web Site Feedback

"I understand your viewpoints and they had been considered in the past.
There have been 350 children safely rescues specifically because of the
AMBER Alert program.

Because of that huge success, the media and often the public question
why this program is not used for any missing persons, and children. In
fact, they question why the alerts can't be sent to everyone in the
United States.

1). First, the method you suggest in your email would generate many
complaints, as the information would be forced to the public, rather
than an "opt-in" program.
2). For the public to remain active, these alerts must remain
geographically targeted to ensure those alerts sent actually have
bearing on the person receiving them.
a). There were 261 AMBER Activations last year. When
considering initial alert, updates and cancellations, each person would
receive more than 1000 alerts. The public would become desensitized and
not participate. Similar to the car alarm syndrome, where most do not
pay attention.
b). Similarly, if we used AMBER Alerts for all missing
children, rather than only abducted children facing the most danger,
there would be hundreds of alerts received daily.
3). In addition, there is only just so much bandwidth that the
wireless carriers have. There are technological reasons why they cannot
do the alerting in the method you described as well.
4). Right now the www.wirelessamberalerts.org program is completely
free for the public.

I hope this gives you a better understanding of how the program works.
Please be assured those members who have worked very hard to develop
this program come from hundreds of years of law enforcement experience,
members of the wireless community who have many years of experience, and
staff from the Department of Justice. This group has tried to explore
every possible alternative to better protect our children.

You can read more as well at www.amberalerts.gov"

Best Regards,
Bob


______________________________________
Robert Hoever
Associate Director, Training and Outreach
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Office: 703-837-6118
Cell : 571-221-5176




-----Original Message-----

Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2007 12:53 PM
To: Robert Hoever
Subject: Re: Web Site Feedback

"Thank you Bob. However, you've just proved my point. I have to sign
up, which I've already done so. I could sign up for 5 surrounding counties
to where I'm located, that is it. What I'm trying to say is that anytime
an Amber Alert is activated, the wireless carriers should send these out
automatically to all in their data base, free of charge. Do we have to
change laws in order to get this through? If so, I need to write to my
representatives I guess, as well as the President. It seems to be such
a simple thing but I'm sure it has to go through a process as well."

Hope this helps,
Sincerely,


----- Original Message -----

Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2007 9:52 AM
Subject: FW: Web Site Feedback


"I am not certain where you read that the wireless carriers were not
involved in the AMBER Alert system. Please go to
www.wirelessamberalerts.org and you can sign up your cell as well as
getting information about the program."

I hope this helps!
Bob

______________________________________
Robert Hoever
Associate Director, Training and Outreach
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Office: 703-837-6118
Cell : 571-221-5176



Hello,

"I am writing to express a concern that I have regarding informing the
public about any missing child situation. I have become very involved
in this, due to the case of Madeleine McCann in Portugal and all of the
media awareness. In the U.S. I know that we have an excellent system in
place with our Amber Alert. However, one concern I have is in reference
to something I read stating that cell phone carriers won't get involved
because of the costs. Is there nothing that can be done to enforce a
law that would require them to alert all cell phone users, Worldwide, in
the case of any missing child immediately? This is perhaps the most
effective way that all could be informed. Our alert system on our major
Interstates is great but very few and far between on the road. People
don't always listen to the radio or watch Television. But, most people
do have cell phones these days. I'm sure this would be a very cost
effective and most worthwhile effort in aiding the search for any
missing child and it's my opinion that there shouldn't be any question
on this being done immediately."

Thank you very much,

Concerned about Madeleine wrote:I'm glad to see that you were able to copy this!! Many thanks!