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Silver Alert is a public notification system in the United States to broadcast information about missing persons – especially senior citizens with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other mental disabilities – in order to aid in locating them.

Silver Alerts use a wide array of media outlets – such as commercial radio stations, television stations, and cable television – to broadcast information about missing persons. In some states (specifically Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, North Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin), Silver Alerts also use variable-message signs on roadways to alert motorists to be on the lookout for missing seniors. In cases in which a missing person is believed to be missing on foot, Silver Alerts have used Reverse 911 or other emergency notification systems to notify nearby residents of the neighborhood surrounding the missing person's last known location. Silver Alerts can also be used for children who are missing without being in danger or abducted.

Supporters of Silver Alert point to the United States' growing elderly population as a reason for new programs to locate missing seniors. Approximately 60% of dementia sufferers will wander off at least once.[1]

However, a 2012 review of research into missing-senior programs found that Silver Alert had not been evaluated to determine whether it was effective in returning those people to safety, or even whether wandering was a severe enough problem to merit expending resources to address it.[2]: 22, 24  It characterized Silver Alert's rate of facilitating returns of missing people as "[i]mpossible to tell", because the statistical records are distributed among state agencies which do not necessarily publicize them.[2]: 21  The researchers also criticized it and similar programs for prioritizing safety over civil rights such as autonomy, and noted that broadcasting a missing person's identity might put them at risk for exploitation (such as identity theft).[2]: 23–24 

History

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In December 2005, Oklahoma state Representative Fred Perry (R-Tulsa) announced his intention to introduce an "AMBER Alert for seniors", which he dubbed "Silver Alert."[3] In March 2006, the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed H.R. 1075, a resolution calling for a Silver Alert system to find missing seniors.[4] In response to this non-binding resolution, the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety added Silver Alert notifications to the statewide alerts sent to law enforcement agencies and the media for rapid distribution.[5] In April 2009, Governor Brad Henry signed legislation permanently establishing the Silver Alert program.[6]

In Georgia, public efforts to locate missing seniors increased following the April 2004 disappearance of Mattie Moore, a 68-year-old Atlanta resident with Alzheimer's disease. Eight months after Moore's disappearance, her body was found 500 yards (460 m) from her home.[7] The City of Atlanta created "Mattie's Call" to coordinate and support Metro Atlanta law enforcement, emergency management and broadcasters to issue an urgent bulletin in missing persons cases involving persons with Alzheimer's disease, dementia and other mental disabilities.[8] Legislation to create a statewide Mattie's Call program was enacted in April 2006.[9]

In Florida, local and state government officials worked together to develop a pilot Silver Alert program following the case of an 86-year-old person who drove away from her assisted-living facility on February 26, 2008, and was found dead a week later, 10 miles (16 km) away in the Intracoastal Waterway near a boat ramp and her submerged car.[10]

National growth

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Thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia have Silver Alert or similar programs targeting missing seniors.

Twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia have missing persons recovery programs that are formally called "Silver Alert":

Additionally, nine states have programs to help locate missing seniors that are not officially called "Silver Alert" but contain criteria similar to existing Silver Alert programs:

  • Alabama – Missing Senior Alert[40]
  • Colorado – Missing Senior Citizen Alert[41]
  • Georgia – Mattie's Call[42]
  • Kentucky – Golden Alert[43]
  • Michigan – Mozelle Senior or Vulnerable Adult Medical Alert Act[44]
  • New Hampshire – Missing Senior Citizen Alert[45]
  • New York – Missing Vulnerable Adult Alert[46]
  • Ohio – Missing Adult Alert[47]
  • Virginia – Senior Alert[48]

Plus, ten states have missing-persons alert systems with broader criteria than conventional Silver Alert programs. These missing-person alerts apply to larger categories of endangered persons, or apply to all missing people, regardless of age or impairment:

  • Delaware – Gold Alert[49]
  • Idaho – Endangered Missing Person Alert[50]
  • Minnesota – Brandon's Law[51]
  • Missouri – Endangered Person Advisory[52]
  • Montana – Missing and Endangered Persons Advisory[53]
  • Nebraska – Endangered Missing Advisory[54]
  • Pennsylvania – Missing and Endangered Person Advisory[55]
  • South Dakota – Endangered Persons Advisory[56]
  • Utah – Endangered Person Advisory[57]
  • Wyoming – Endangered Person Advisory[58]

Federal legislation

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In May 2008, Representative Lloyd Doggett introduced the National Silver Alert Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, a bill to encourage, enhance, and integrate Silver Alert plans throughout the United States. Similar legislation was filed by Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Sue Myrick (R-NC).[59][60] The three bills were combined into a single bill, H.R. 6064.[61] The bill was passed by the House in September 2008 by a voice vote, but the 110th Congress adjourned before it could be considered in the U.S. Senate.

The National Silver Alert Act was re-introduced in the 111th Congress as H.R. 632. It was passed by the House of Representatives on February 11, 2009, on a voice vote.[62] Companion legislation (S.557) was introduced in the Senate by Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) and Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI).[63]

Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) reintroduced the bill as S.1814 in the 113th Congress on December 12, 2013.[64] The National Silver Alert Act was referred to the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary but was not voted on before the U.S. Senate adjourned.[65]

The National Silver Alert Act has been endorsed by the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA), Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Foundation of America, Elder Justice Coalition, National Silver Haired Congress, the National Association of Police Organizations and the National Sheriffs' Association.[citation needed]

Criticism

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Critics of Silver Alert have raised concerns that the proliferation of color-coded alerts will reduce their importance, risking that alerts would be ignored as a "wolf cry". For example, Texas has created an Amber Alert, Silver Alert and Blue Alert (issued to locate an assailant in the event a law enforcement officer is killed or injured.)[66] In New York, Governor George Pataki vetoed Silver Alert legislation in 2003, citing his concern that it would weaken the Amber Alert system and make the alerts too common.[67] In the absence of state-level legislation, local Silver Alert programs have been enacted by New York City[68] and five New York counties: Rockland,[69] Suffolk,[70] Nassau,[71] Niagara[72] and Erie.[73]

Some critics have raised concerns about the cost of implementing the Silver Alert program on a nationwide basis. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that implementation of the National Silver Alert Act would cost $59 million over a five-year period.[74] During the House debate on the cost, Representative Ted Poe (R-TX) noted that states with Silver Alerts have reported nominal costs associated with operating the system, since they are able to utilize existing Amber Alert infrastructure to issue Silver Alerts.[75]

Retrieval rate

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In Texas, the Silver Alert system was invoked 52 times in the first year following its inception in September 2007. Of these alerts, 48 of the missing seniors were located safely, and 13 of these recoveries were directly attributable to Silver Alert.[76]

In Florida, 136 Silver Alerts were issued in its first year (2008–2009), leading to 131 safe recoveries.[77] 19 of these recoveries were directly attributable to Silver Alert.[78] According to a press release by the office of the governor of Florida, in the 2 years following the initiation of the program in October 2008, 227 Silver Alerts were issued in Florida and 220 seniors were subsequently located safely; 36 of these recoveries were attributed directly to the Silver Alert.[79] Over three years, 377 Silver Alerts have been issued in Florida, with 367 seniors located safely, and 51 of those recoveries attributed directly to the Silver Alert.[80]

In North Carolina, 128 Silver Alerts were issued in 2008. Of these, 118 seniors were safely recovered.[81]

In Georgia, according to a spokesperson for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Mattie's Call garnered a safe return for 70 of the 71 calls issued between its inception in 2006 and January 2009.[82]

In Wisconsin, 18 Silver Alerts were issued in the first 5 months of the program, out of which 15 of missing seniors were found and safely returned home.[83]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Johnson, Kirk (May 4, 2010), "More with Dementia Wander from Home", The New York Times website, archived from the original on May 5, 2010
  2. ^ a b c Petonito, Gina; Muschert, Glenn W.; Carr, Dawn C.; Kinney, Jennifer M.; Robbins, Emily J.; Brown, J. Scott (May 7, 2012), "Programs to Locate Missing and Critically Wandering Elders: A Critical Review and a Call for Multiphasic Evaluation", The Gerontologist, 53 (1), Oxford University Press: 17–25, doi:10.1093/geront/gns060, PMC 3551207, PMID 22565495, Second, neither Safe Return, Project Lifesaver, nor Silver Alert have been evaluated to determine if they address the problem for which they were designed; that is, to return critically wandering elders to safety.
  3. ^ Holleyman, Summer (December 6, 2005). "OK-Representative plans 'Silver Alert' system for finding missing seniors". iCapitol.net. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011.
  4. ^ Coppernoll, Carrie (March 24, 2008). "Senior advocates aim to take alerts national". Daily Oklahoman.
  5. ^ "The Safety Signal" (PDF). Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. October 2007.
  6. ^ "Gov. Henry Signs Silver Alert Law, Program to Aid Missing Seniors Modeled after Amber Alert". Office of Governor Brad Henry. April 16, 2009. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011.
  7. ^ "Atlantans to mark the 5th Anniversary of the disappearance of Mrs. Mattie Moore". City of Atlanta Daybook. April 20, 2009. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  8. ^ "Ordinance 04-0-1101, Authorizing the Establishment of Mattie's Call" (PDF). Atlanta City Council. June 24, 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 1, 2006.
  9. ^ "House Bill 728". Georgia General Assembly, Enacted April 28, 2006. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012.
  10. ^ Andelman, Mimi (February 23, 2009), "Florida's Silver Alert spurs a national plan", St. Petersburg Times website, archived from the original on June 7, 2011, retrieved December 9, 2009
  11. ^ "Governor Signs Silver Alert Legislation". Office of Governor Sean Parnell. July 10, 2013. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014.
  12. ^ "Brewer gives nod to new 'Silver Alert' system for elderly". Associated Press. April 25, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014.
  13. ^ "Governor Beebe Announces New Silver Alert Program". April 6, 2009. Archived from the original on April 29, 2009. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
  14. ^ "What is a Silver Alert?". California Highway Patrol. Archived from the original on June 9, 2013.
  15. ^ "Connecticut Silver Alert System". United Way of Connecticut.
  16. ^ "District of Columbia Silver Alert Program Announced!". Maryland D.C. Delaware Broadcasters Association.
  17. ^ "FHP Locates Silver Alert Subject". Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Archived from the original on May 1, 2009.
  18. ^ "New law takes effect to help find missing adults". Chicago Tribune. December 31, 2009.
  19. ^ "Missing Persons Alerts Get New Silver Lining". Greensburg Daily News. July 1, 2009. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013.
  20. ^ "Kansas Silver Alert Protocol" (PDF). Attorney General of Kansas.
  21. ^ "Governor Jindal Signs Bills Into Law". Office of Governor Bobby Jindal. July 3, 2008.
  22. ^ "Baldacci Signs "Silver Alert" Bill". Maine Public Broadcasting Network. April 29, 2010.
  23. ^ "Maryland's Silver Alert Program". Maryland State Police. Archived from the original on August 3, 2013.
  24. ^ Judson, Jen (August 11, 2010). "Gov. Patrick signs Silver Alert bill". Waltham Daily News Tribune. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012.
  25. ^ "New Mississippi law sets alerts for missing elderly". Jackson Clarion-Ledger. March 25, 2010.
  26. ^ Fryman, Jessica (June 4, 2011). "New alert system helps find lost elders". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  27. ^ Lu, Adrienne (December 24, 2009). "N. J. adopts alert system for missing seniors, others". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  28. ^ "Governor Susana Martinez Signs Silver Alert Legislation, Allowing DPS to Issue Alerts for Missing Seniors" (PDF). State of New Mexico, Office of the Governor. April 1, 2013.
  29. ^ "The Silver Alert Program". North Carolina Department of Crime Control & Public Safety. Archived from the original on June 13, 2010. Retrieved June 5, 2010.
  30. ^ "Silver Alert". North Dakota Highway Patrol.
  31. ^ McNutt, Michael (April 17, 2009). "Silver Alert measure signed into law by Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry". Daily Oklahoman.
  32. ^ McAlice Currie, Carol (March 5, 2014). "Governor signs 'Silver Alert' bill". Salem Statesman-Journal.
  33. ^ "Rhode Island Title 42, Chapter 28". Rhode Island General Assembly.
  34. ^ "Silver Alert going forward in South Carolina". WIS-TV. September 23, 2008.
  35. ^ "Alert system for missing seniors now law; next comes implementation". WBIR. October 15, 2009.
  36. ^ "Silver Alert Activation Instructions" (PDF). Texas Department of Public Safety.[permanent dead link‍]
  37. ^ Camden, Jim (June 11, 2015). "New Washington law will allow Silver Alerts for missing seniors". Spokane Spokesman-Review.
  38. ^ Brown, Keri (August 3, 2009). "Silver Alert helps find missing seniors". West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
  39. ^ "Investing in Wisconsin's Communities: Governor Scott Walker Signs Silver Alert Public Safety Legislation". Office of Governor Scott Walker. April 11, 2014.
  40. ^ "Alabama Missing Senior Alert". Alabama Department of Public Safety. Archived from the original on March 24, 2010.
  41. ^ "Colorado Missing Senior Citizen Alert". Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
  42. ^ "Mattie's Call". Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
  43. ^ "Kentucky Golden Alert Law". Seniors Digest. October 1, 2008. Archived from the original on February 22, 2013.
  44. ^ Galligan, Kathleen (September 2, 2012). "New law requires police to act immediately when an older person is reported missing". Detroit Free Press.
  45. ^ "Missing Senior Citizen Alert Program". N.H. RSA 106-J:4.
  46. ^ "Governor Cuomo Signs Law to Create Missing Vulnerable Adult Alert System". Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo. July 25, 2011. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011.
  47. ^ Cavallaro, Emanuel (June 21, 2008). "Ohio implements Amber Alert for missing adults". Springfield News-Sun. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008.
  48. ^ "Virginia Senior Alert". Virginia State Police.
  49. ^ "11 Delaware Code Annotated §§ 8580–8583".
  50. ^ "Endangered Missing Person Alert, Idaho Senate Bill 1378 (2022)".
  51. ^ Von Sternberg, Bob (May 8, 2009). "Adults added to missing children's law". Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
  52. ^ "About the Endangered Person Advisory". Missouri State Highway Patrol.
  53. ^ "Missing and Endangered Person Advisory". Montana Department of Justice. Archived from the original on February 10, 2010.
  54. ^ "Endangered Missing Advisory". Nebraska State Patrol.
  55. ^ "Amber Alert System for Vulnerable Adults". WDUQ-FM. November 25, 2010.
  56. ^ "Missing and Endangered Person Advisory". South Dakota Endangered Persons Advisory. Archived from the original on August 4, 2008.
  57. ^ "Endangered Person Advisory". Utah Department of Public Safety. Archived from the original on February 11, 2010.
  58. ^ "Wyoming announces new program to help find people". KPVI. October 23, 2009. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011.
  59. ^ "Rep. Bilirakis Introduces Bill Creating Silver Alert Grant Program". Office of Rep. Gus Bilirakis. April 24, 2008.
  60. ^ "Myrick introduces Kristen's Act Reauthorization of 2005". Office of U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick. May 4, 2005.
  61. ^ "H.R. 6064". THOMAS Legislative Database, Library of Congress. Archived from the original on November 30, 2008. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  62. ^ "H.R. 632". THOMAS Legislative Database, Library of Congress. Archived from the original on July 4, 2016. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
  63. ^ "Martinez Introduces 'Silver Alert' System to Help Locate Missing Persons". Office of Senator Mel Martinez. September 25, 2008. Archived from the original on June 25, 2009.
  64. ^ "Manchin, Rockefeller, Coons, Schumer, McCaskill, Klobuchar Introduce Silver Alert Bill to Help Locate Missing Seniors". Office of Senator Joe Manchin. December 17, 2013. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  65. ^ "S. 1814". United States Legislative Information, Library of Congress. December 12, 2013.
  66. ^ "AMBER Alert". Texas Department of Public Safety. Archived from the original on July 5, 2009.
  67. ^ Friedman, Emily (December 23, 2008). "Silver Alerts Help Find Disoriented Elderly". ABC News.
  68. ^ "New Silver Alert Law Enhances Public Notification System to Aid Search for Missing Seniors" (PDF). New York City Department of Aging. October 6, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 17, 2010.
  69. ^ "'Silver Alert' System to Safeguard Seniors". New City Patch. May 3, 2010.
  70. ^ "Suffolk Executive Levy Signs "Silver Alert System" Initiative". Suffolk County Government. March 12, 2009. Archived from the original on January 1, 2011.
  71. ^ "Nassau OKs Silver Alert system for elderly wanderers". Newsday (New York). August 10, 2009.
  72. ^ "Sheriff unveils Silver Alert system for missing seniors". Buffalo News. August 21, 2010.
  73. ^ "Silver Alerts coming to Erie County". Buffalo News. November 5, 2010.
  74. ^ "Cost Estimate, H.R. 6064, National Silver Alert Act" (PDF). Congressional Budget Office. September 4, 2008.
  75. ^ "Congressional Record". U.S. House of Representatives. February 10, 2009. p. H1126.
  76. ^ "Congressional Record". U.S. House of Representatives. September 15, 2008. p. H8081.
  77. ^ "136 Silver Alerts issued in system's 1st year", Miami Herald website, December 25, 2009[dead link‍]
  78. ^ "Silver Alert Monthly Report, November 2009". Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Archived from the original on February 8, 2010.
  79. ^ "Florida Celebrates Two Year Anniversary Of Silver Alert Program". TheGovMonitor.com. October 8, 2010. Archived from the original on October 9, 2010.
  80. ^ "Three Year Anniversary Of Florida's Silver Alert Plan". wtxl.com. October 7, 2011. Archived from the original on April 21, 2012.
  81. ^ "Silver Alert Activations Summary". North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. March 4, 2009. Archived from the original on July 24, 2009. Retrieved June 27, 2009.
  82. ^ Toone, Stephanie (January 10, 2009), "System successful in finding lost adults", The Augusta Chronicle website, archived from the original on January 16, 2009
  83. ^ "Five Months After Launch, Officials Say Statewide "Silver Alert" Program Has Been a Success". Fox 6 News. January 14, 2015.
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