Save a child with AMBER ALERT

A parent's worst nightmare is child abduction and quick response is vital to finding a child.

What is AMBER ALERT?

The AMBER ALERT program empowers law enforcement, the media and the public to combat child abduction by sending out immediate, up-to-date information that aids in the child's safe recovery.

History of AMBER ALERT

The AMBER ALERT Program originated in Texas in 1996 after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted and murdered. Texas organized a system that encouraged law enforcement agencies to alert the media following confirmed child abduction.

Rock Island Police Department’s Role in AMBER ALERT

Since March of 2000, the Rock Island Police Department has been an active participant in the Quad City area’s AMBER ALERT System that utilizes the City of Davenport’s Watch Computer System. On January 1, 2002, the State of Illinois initiated the AMBER ALERT plan on a statewide basis. Both systems are currently used by the Rock Island Police Department in the event there is a child abduction involving a child who is under the age of 16 or has a proven mental or physical disability, and there is reason to believe the child is in danger of serious bodily harm or death.

It is through the use of the AMBER ALERT program that the Rock Island Police Department hopes to utilize the media’s ability to contact vast numbers of people with the description of an abducted child and/or description of the suspect(s) and vehicle(s) involved and return that child to their family safe and sound.