PRESS RELEASE  EMBARGOED UNTIL

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 at 10 a.m.

Contact: Lori Sitler
Phone: (302) 577-8314
Pager: (302) 247-1132
Date: July 22, 2002

ATTORNEY GENERAL BRADY SUPPORTS AMBER PROGRAM INITIATIVE

(Wilmington, DE): Attorney General M. Jane Brady today released the following statement regarding the AMBER (American Missing: Broadcast Emergency Responses) program:
"This is a tremendous program, which uses broadcast resources to alert all citizens in a community when they should be on the lookout for a particular child, particular suspect, a particular car, or other information law enforcement could use to solve an abduction before it becomes a homicide. I am pleased the broadcasters in Delaware are working to get the technology in place to allow them to implement the program."

AMBER is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement agencies and broadcasters to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child abduction cases. The AMBER program is utilized when descriptive information is adequate to alert and activate an entire community to locate and return abducted child, and to apprehend the perpetrator. It is named after Amber Hagerman, a 9 year old Texan, who was abducted and murdered. The program, named after Amber Hagerman, a 9 year old Texan, utilizes the Emergency Alert System.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children launched the program nationwide in October 2001. At that time, Attorney General Brady inquired about the ability of local broadcasters to implement the program, and learned that the technology at many local broadcasters needed to be upgraded. While not every broadcaster is yet capable, she is pleased they are making progress and congratulates them and Representative Keeley for their interest in this important issue. Kits, guides and more information are available from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, (703) 274-3900 or www.missingkids.com

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