Monday is Amber Alert Awareness Day. The day was created to raise public awareness of the nationwide Amber Alert program, which enlists the public’s help in the search for and rescue of abducted children. The public can get involved during an AMBER Alert by listening to television and radio reports, paying attention to changeable message signs along the highway, which display information about the abductor’s vehicle and license plate number, and keeping an eye out for the suspect vehicle. Since 2002, California’s Amber Alert system has been activated 218 times, and has resulted in the rescue or safe finding of 255 children. As of January 1, 2014, the program has been expanded to include children who have been taken by anyone, regardless if an actual abduction is involved, and the agency believes the child is in threat of serious bodily injury or death.
