January 13th is AMBER Alert Awareness Day, and Ontario Provincial Police are reminding people across the province that AMBER Alerts are an important tool used to help find missing children who may be in danger.
An AMBER Alert is an emergency alert that is issued when police believe a child has been abducted and is at serious risk of harm or death. The alert is only used in urgent situations and follows strict guidelines before it is sent out.
When an AMBER Alert is issued, details about the child, and when available, the suspect or vehicle involved, are quickly shared through television, radio, and compatible cellphones using Canada’s Alert Ready system. The goal is to get information out as fast as possible so the public can help locate the child.
Police say time is critical during an AMBER Alert. Anyone who sees or hears an alert is asked to watch for the child, suspect, or vehicle described and to call 9-1-1 right away if they have any information.
OPP also remind residents that calling 9-1-1 to complain about an AMBER Alert is not appropriate and may result in charges. Emergency lines should remain open for real tips that could help locate a missing child.
More information about AMBER Alerts and how the public can help is available on the OPP website.
