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Wireless AMBER alerts will help save children. Sign up!

The Department of Justice reports that 11.4 children of every 1,000 will go missing; of 800,000 missing children reports a year, 69,000 are of actual abductions. That’s too many. This is perhaps partly because our local governments often “fail” to correctly lock up these animals upon first offenses; they are given, second, third and more chances. This is wrong, obviously. Anyone with half a heart knows this. And so, it is only wise that we stop depending on our governments for our children’s safety–as we should never do in the first place–and take matters into our own hands. These alerts help with that.

The AMBER Alert system was created to alert people of child abductions that have taken place in the United States. Similar systems are in existence in other countries. In its fledgling state, it is not a perfect system, and unfortunately idiotic people sometimes create false alarms. However, the AMBER Alert system is greatly needed and has aided in the recovery of many children (PDF).

It is said that the first three hours of a child’s kidnapping are the most vital; it can mean the saving of a child. Widespread knowledge of an abduction will greatly facilitate in the finding of kidnapped children, and this new wireless system, which is free for you to sign up to, is a much better idea than the television and radio alerts that have been in place. Also, most mobile carriers (see partners) will not be charging you for receiving messages from the alert system.

If you’re in the States, I recommend you sign up. If you’re in another country, and care about this matter, check out the Global Network of Missing & Exploited Children. It will lead you to information for your country, most likely.

Comments ordered from oldest to newest.

SkeptiC

42 in 2006. Thats awesome. I wouldn’t have thought that it would be so high. Not being a cell phone carrier rules me out, but it seems like a great idea to me. Considering all the people with cell phones, I bet the numbers for Amber Alert recoveries could go way up with this. Some how, it should be made a built in part of all cell service.

Lelia

I agree. Something this important you wouldn’t think would even be an option. Perhaps it won’t be in time.

And congrats to you for managing to stay off the cell phone bandwagon! I did while in the States (had one for emergencies only that I never used much), but I use one somewhat regularly here. Text messaging. ;)

SkeptiC

The text messaging could be fun. But I hate the phone for the most part. I don’t think it would be worth the money for me to have one. I figure, eventually, I will be able to carry a full fledged computer in my pocket with a 5meg wireless internet connection. That will be phone enough for me.