Texas AMBER, Blue and Silver Alert Programs 2011 Texas Emergency Management Conference

SAM ALLEN State AMBER, Blue and Silver Alert Program Coordinator Texas Division of Emergency Management (512)

Page numbers will appear on the PowerPoint presentation indicating the corresponding page within the Handout. PAGE NUMBERS HANDOUT

Alert Options and Preparedness AMBER Alert Blue Alert Silver Alert State Network Operations Texas Regional Programs State Training Program BRIEFING STRUCTURE PRESENTATION ORDER

Law Enforcement Agency Issue the alert locally (media outlets etc.). Make a request to issue the alert through a regional network (if available). Make a request to issue the alert through the DPS State Network. LOCAL, REGIONAL & STATE ALERT OPTIONS

Written Policies and Procedures Internal Training Local Media Coordination Regional Program Awareness PREPAREDNESS PLANNING AHEAD

Amber Hagerman’s kidnapping and brutal death in Arlington, Texas in Concerned citizens contacted several Dallas, Texas radio stations. Dallas-Fort Worth broadcasters teamed with local law enforcement forming the nation’s first AMBER plan. The Office of the Governor directed the DPS to implement a “statewide” AMBER Alert network in AMBER HISTORY AMBER HAGERMAN

TX DPS WEBSITE AT

TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WEBSITE

Missing Entries for 1 Year (2010), in Texas: 48,034 = <17 yrs. TEXAS MISSING NCIC DATA

302 Requests. 65 Activations. 71 Recovered Safely. AS OF APRIL 1, 2011 AMBER ALERT STATE NETWORK IMPLEMENTED YEAR 2002

The Blue Alert Program enables the rapid statewide distribution of information related to offenders, who flee after killing or seriously injuring federal, state or local, law enforcement officers in the line of duty. Note: Requesting agencies should utilize the TCIC “Threats Against Peace Officers” file, as appropriate. BLUE ALERT PROGRAM (HISTORY) IMPLEMENTED AUGUST 2008

2 Officers Killed Feloniously, in Texas for Year OFFICERS KILLED TEXAS UCR 2010 REPORT

2 Requests. 2 Activations. 1 Suspect Located. 2 Vehicles Located. BLUE ALERT STATE NETWORK AS OF APRIL 1, 2011 IMPLEMENTED AUGUST 2008

In response to legislation enacted September 1, 2007, the Texas Department of Public Safety implemented the Silver Alert Network, designed to advise the public of missing senior citizens with documented mental impairments. SILVER ALERT PROGRAM (HISTORY) IMPLEMENTED SEPTEMBER 2007

On physician’s letterhead, indicating the impaired mental condition, date of diagnosis, patient’s name, with physician’s signature. Documentation can be faxed with the Silver Alert Request Form to the State Operations Center, Texas Division of Emergency Management. MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION SILVER ALERT STATE NETWORK

MEDICAL RELEASE SILVER ALERT Texas Code of Criminal Procedures Art Release of Medical Records

Missing Entries for 1 Year (2010), in Texas: 974 = >65 yrs. TEXAS MISSING NCIC DATA

330 Requests. 209 Activations. 195 Recovered Safely. SILVER ALERT STATE PROGRAM AS OF APRIL 1, 2011 IMPLEMENTED SEPTEMBER 2007

STATE NETWORK OPERATIONS

1.Only law enforcement can request activation. 2.Fax the Request Form to the State Operations Center (SOC). 3.Contact the SOC to verify fax receipt. 4. applicable photos to the SOC. 5.Ensure entry of appropriate NCIC/TCIC records. REQUEST PROCEDURES AMBER, BLUE & SILVER ALERTS

Texas Division of Emergency Management, State Operations Center (TDEM, SOC, TXDPS) Texas Fusion Center (TXDPS) Requesting Law Enforcement Agency REQUEST PROCESS AMBER & SILVER ALERT

Texas Division of Emergency Management, State Operations Center (SOC, TXDPS) Requesting Law Enforcement Agency REQUEST PROCESS BLUE ALERT Texas Fusion Center (TXDPS)

National Weather Service – Emergency Alert System (EAS) Media – TV, Radio etc. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – Participating Internet Providers, Trucking Companies, Wireless Providers, Restaurant Chains etc. TXDOT – Dynamic Message Signs Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) – Federal, State, Military and Local Law Enforcement Texas Lottery Commission – Message Signs Independent Bankers Association of Texas – Message Signs, Flyers etc. TDEM Vendor/Media Notifications NETWORK PARTNERS AMBER Texas Division of Emergency Management, State Operations Center (TDEM, SOC, TXDPS)

National Weather Service – Emergency Alert System (EAS) Media – TV, Radio etc. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – Participating Internet Providers, Trucking Companies, Wireless Providers, Restaurant Chains etc. TXDOT – Dynamic Message Signs Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) – Federal, State, Military and Local Law Enforcement Texas Lottery Commission – Message Signs Independent Bankers Association of Texas – Message Signs, Flyers etc. TDEM Vendor/Media Notifications NETWORK PARTNERS BLUE & SILVER Texas Division of Emergency Management, State Operations Center (TDEM, SOC, TXDPS)

AMBER ALERTS ONLY

ACTIVATION AREA AMBER, Blue and Silver Activation area is based upon investigative information and could change during the alert. Activation is not always “statewide”.

As the case investigation reveals new information, it is important to contact the SOC. The requesting law enforcement agency should also contact local media and their regional program (if available). INFORMATION UPDATES SOC NOTIFICATION

The requesting law enforcement agency should immediately contact the SOC to inform when the missing child/senior citizen or suspect (if applicable) is located. Discontinuation notification for state network partners mirrors that of an “activation”. ALERT DISCONTINUATION SOC NOTIFICATION

REGIONAL PROGRAMS RESOURCE COORDINATION

REGIONAL PROGRAMS HISTORY Existed before the State Network was created. Involves multiple cities/counties. Managed locally by a “coordinating agency”. Independent of the State Network. Criteria and operations could differ.

TRAINING PROGRAM 1.ONLINE 2.CLASSROOM