FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :   Thursday, January 12, 2012   
CONTACT:   Sara Rabern,  (605) 773-3215

National AMBER Alert Awareness Day

PIERRE, S.D.  – On Friday, January 13, 2012, the nation recognizes National AMBER Alert Awareness Day. Since the program’s inception, 554 abducted children across the country have been safely recovered as a direct result of AMBER Alerts.

The AMBER Alert System began in 1996 after nine-year-old Amber Hagerman as abducted from her home in Texas and then murdered. In March of 2003, the system was implemented in South Dakota. The AMBER Alert System relies on law enforcement, media and citizens working together to accomplish the recovery of children who have been abducted.  South Dakota has had three activations since the inception, of which two resulted in recovery and one that was unfounded.

“While we have been fortunate in South Dakota to have had minimal statewide activations, it is necessary to maintain our state and federal partnerships to ensure the AMBER Alert System will work effectively when called upon,” said Jackley.

South Dakota participating agencies include the following: Governor’s Office, Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Information Technology, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, State Radio, South Dakota Lottery, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, South Dakota Truckers Association, National Weather Service and the South Dakota Broadcasters Association and their members.

If you need any additional information about the AMBER Alert program, contact Bonnie Feller Hagen with the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation at 605-773-3331.
 

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