Do You Know About Silver Alerts?
The Silver Alert system—named for seniors’ silver hair—is designed to provide early warning to the public that an elderly person with a condition of mental challenge is missing. The Silver Alert system is modelled after the Amber Alert system for missing children.
You may have received a Silver Alert message on your cell phone announcing the missing status of an adult over age 65 years with a documented mental impairment. Highway signs and media channels on radio, TV, cable, and web also alert the public about missing older adults afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, and other mental conditions.
Begun in Oklahoma by Congressman Fred Perry, 36 states have Silver Alert or similar programs targeting missing seniors and with legislation in 2007, the Texas Department of Public Safety implemented its Silver Alert Network.
In Texas, once the Texas Department of Public Safety has confirmed that a request for activation of the State Network meets criteria, the State Operations Center (SOC) immediately notifies the following within the advisory area:
- Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies;
- Local primary media outlets;
- Texas Department of Transportation;
- Texas Lottery Commission; and
- Independent Bankers Association of Texas.
For more information, please see these links:
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/Operations/Alerts/
@silveralertbill
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Alert