State of confusion?

There are approximately 116 Amber Alert Systems currently in place. Some are Statewide, some are Regional and yet others are local. The activation criteria can vary, including the age of the child. The plan may be run by the Public sector or in conjunction with a Private sector company. The following is a random look at a few plans. You can view your state at Amber Alert

In Indiana, The Allen County/Fort Wayne/New Haven AMBER Plan will be set in motion for all of Allen County by one of the cooperating police agencies.

1) The child is 14 years of age or younger, or 15 through 17 years given consideration to the conduct of the victim perhaps contributing to their disappearance, and;

2) The law enforcement agency believes the missing child has been abducted and is in danger of serious bodily harm or death, and;

3) The abductor and/or child are likely to still be in the Allen County broadcast area, and;

4) There is a likelihood someone who is provided with a description of the abductor, the child, or the vehicle involved may observe and report the whereabouts of this person(s) to the police, then

The Alabama AMBER plan will be set in motion for the state by one of the cooperating law enforcement agencies when a child abduction is reported and investigation reveals that:

1. A child has been abducted as defined by 13A-6-40 Alabama Criminal Code, AND;

2. The child is less than 18 years old, AND;

3. The child is at risk of serious bodily harm or death, AND;

4. There is enough descriptive information about the child, abductor, and/or suspect’s vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will help investigators locate the child.

The Tuscaloosa AMBER plan will be set in motion for the Tuscaloosa area by one of the cooperating police agencies when a child abduction is reported and investigation reveals that:

1.A child has been abducted as defined by 13A-6-40 Alabama Criminal Code, AND;

2. The child is less than 16 years old, (16 or 17 year old children will be considered on a case by case basis, given weight to their physical and/or mental capacity, or their own criminal conduct contributing to the disappearance.), AND;

3. The child is at risk of serious bodily harm or death, AND;

4. There is enough descriptive information about the child, abductor, and/or suspect’s vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will help investigators locate the child.

To activate the Florida AMBER alert the following five (5) criteria must be met.

1. The child must be under 18 years of age.

2. There must be a clear indication of an abduction.

3. The law enforcement agency's investigation must conclude that the child's life is in danger.

4. There must be a detailed description of child and/or abductor/vehicle to broadcast to the public (photo when available).

5. The activation must be recommended by the local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction.

In order for Georgia to activate, the following criteria must be met:

1. There must be a confirmed child abduction

2. The circumstances surrounding the abduction must indicate that the child is in imminent danger of harm or death

3. The child must be 18 years of age or younger

4. There must be enough descriptive information to believe that an immediate broadcast alert will help recover the child

5. Request for activation of alert must be made as soon as possible after abduction reported (within four hours of abduction ideal)

6. The case must be entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database

Is there any wonder why there is confusion as to when to activate an alert?