The AMBER Alert Plan (America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response), is statewide tool law enforcement agencies can use to help locate children who have been abducted.

The plan, which was developed by the Illinois State Police, utilizes broadcasting companies (radio and television) to put out pertinent information regarding an abducted child. To use the AMBER Plan, the abducted child must be 1) under the age of 16 or have a proven mental or physical disability; and 2) the police must believe that the child is in danger of serious bodily harm or death.

Basically, when an incident occurs and the above criteria are met, the investigating police agency notifies the Illinois State Police, who in turn works with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to disseminate the information to broadcasters.

Hopefully, the Spring Grove Police Department will never have to use the plan. Nevertheless, it's a great tool to have available.

The AMBER Plan is so named after a nine year old who was abducted and killed in Texas in 1996. More information about it can be found on the Illinois State Police web site.

http://amberillinois.org