Marking National AMBER Alert Day, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has taken a moment to highlight the value and success of the AMBER Alert system in the state. In a statement released by the DPS, Colonel Freeman F. Martin urged all Texans to "remain vigilant," citing the integral role of the program in safeguarding children. "So many children have been rescued and returned home to their families because of the tips provided by the public through AMBER Alerts," Martin emphasized.
In 2024 alone, the DPS activated 47 AMBER Alerts across Texas, which serve to swiftly inform the public of serious child abductions to generate tips and leads that might aid in their safe return. When an alert is broadcasted, residents are asked to attentively look to promptly recognize and digest the critical details. The widespread dissemination of information via highway signage, mobile phones, broadcasts, or social media underscores a communal effort to protect the youngest among us. Texans should not hesitate to dial 911 if they come upon any information relevant to the alert.
The urgent nature of these alerts was a direct response to a tragic event—the kidnapping and murder of nine-year-old Amber Hagerman in Arlington, Texas, in 1996. Her story propelled the establishment of the first AMBER Alert program. Since then, the system has expanded, and following the 2023 kidnapping and murder of seven-year-old Athena Strand, Governor Greg Abbott signed legislation authorizing local area activation of the AMBER Alert system under specific circumstances.
The Statewide Alert Program, administered by the DPS, includes various public safety warnings intended to swiftly alert the public about potential danger. These alerts not only aim to locate missing persons and children but also to speedily apprehend violent criminals. An authorized requestor can trigger an alert when the established criteria are fulfilled, and these alerts are only discontinued upon their request, usually when the individual has been found or is no longer believed to be in imminent danger.
An archive of all alerts issued by the DPS, including AMBER Alerts, is available on the department’s website. It should be noted, however, that the status indicated on this site, whether Found or Discontinued, is preliminary and not official. For the definitive outcome of each case, details should be obtained directly from the investigating agency.
