AMBER Alert system to be tested Tuesday in N.D.

The North Dakota Highway Patrol and the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services has announced an annual test of the AMBER America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response Alert system to be conducted between 2 and 3 p.m. Tuesday.

“Nothing can be more heart wrenching for a parent than the abduction of a child,” said NDHP Superintendent James Prochniak. “Assuring that all facets of the Amber Alert plan are functioning properly by providing the public with timely, critical information cannot be overlooked.”

All components of the AMBER Alert Plan will be tested. Advance notification is key to avoid misinterpretation of this test as an actual AMBER Alert.

AMBER Alerts are recorded on the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s 511 Road and Weather Information System, displayed on the NDDOT roadside message signs, the nd.gov/amber website, and are also displayed on scrolling banners at North Dakota State Lottery terminal sites. Since the statewide system was unveiled in February 2003, North Dakota has issued three AMBER Alerts. Nationwide, AMBER Alert has been credited with the successful recovery of 502 children.

The AMBER Alert Plan is a voluntary partnership among law enforcement, state agencies, the National Weather Service and North Dakota Broadcasters Association to activate an urgent bulletin in child abduction cases meeting AMBER Alert activation criteria. NDDES, in collaboration with the NWS, uses the Emergency Alert System to provide a description of the abducted child and suspected abductor to statewide radio and television broadcast stations which disseminate the information to the public.

People are asked to register at wirelessamberalerts.org to receive text notification of actual AMBER Alerts that occur in their area. The goal of the AMBER Alert is to instantly galvanize the entire community to assist in the search for and safe return of the child.

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