Time is the enemy following a child abduction , and law enforcement’s response must be immediate and focused. Oregon’s geography offers many advantages to a child abductor, including the opportunity to quickly transport the victim across county and state borders, or otherwise escape to areas where detection can be difficult. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, most children who were abducted and later murdered were killed within the first three hours of their abduction. In light of these facts, it is essential to child safety that a coordinated response take place within those precious hours immediately after an abduction occurs. America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response Alert, or AMBER Alert, is a statewide innovative program that partners the law enforcement community, media broadcasting stations, and the public in locating abducted children. The goal of AMBER Alert is to immediately involve the public, especially motorists, in the search for an abducted child.
The OAB's very own Bill Johnstone, President/CEO, was on the originating committee to form Oregon AMBER Alert and is now on its review committee. The OAB is proud to support Oregon Amber Alerts, and while the power of broadcasters to support their communities is clearly shown during Amber Alerts, each day broadcasters help their communities in other, sometimes less noticed ways. To learn more, click here.