A statewide test of the Alaska AMBER Alert System will occur on Jan. 5 at 10:20 a.m.
The Alaska State Troopers will carry out the test in coordination with the Alaska Broadcasters Association.
The Alaska AMBER Alert System is used to help rescue abducted children and is a partnership between law enforcement agencies, broadcasters, media and the public in the “most serious” cases.
Alaskans should expect to see the alert on radio television, cellphones capable and configured to receive test alerts, Alaska 511, the state’s AMBER Alert webpage, the state’s AMBER Alert Twitter page and the state’s AMBER Alert Facebook page.
“The goal of the Alaska AMBER Alert system is to provide rapid, widespread information to the public on endangered, abducted children to aid in their safe return,” a state resource on the program reads.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 1,000 children have been rescued because of AMBER Alert as of July 5, 2021. The system is used in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and 33 other countries. The system is named in honor of and as a legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, of Arlington, Texas, who was kidnapped while riding her bike and later found dead.
The AMBER Alert Hotline is 966-AKAMBER, or 966-252-6237. More information about the program in Alaska can be found at amberalert.alaska.gov.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
