Officials seek ways to use Amber Alert

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2002 | 9:14 a.m.

Clark County commissioners are working with state officials to acquire the same missing children's alert system California authorities credit with saving the lives of two abducted teens last week.

About half the states in the country have adopted some version of the Amber Alert, a regional messaging system that not only informs law enforcement of missing children or child abductions but also immediately provides information for broadcasting channels to air.

In light of a recent rash of highly publicized child abductions, commissioners on Tuesday urged their emergency response staff to begin implementing the program.

"We have been watching an epidemic," Commissioner Myrna Williams said. "Now is the time to get started on this."

Metro Police Lt. Brad Simpson said the department has systems that alert other law enforcement agencies and even Citizen Area Transit drivers and casinos of missing children. But Amber Alert is viewed as the most successful method of reuniting children with their families.

According to the KlaasKids Foundation, an organization created after the abduction and murder of Polly Klaas, 95 percent of motorists listen to the radio. Radio announcements can alert drivers to descriptions of the child, the kidnapper or the getaway vehicle.

Simpson said the county already has an emergency alert system to inform residents of such dangers as floods. He said the Amber Alert programming can easily be added.

"There is no need to reinvent the wheel," he said. "There is already a program; we just need to take it a step up."

Brian Kunzi, senior deputy attorney general, said it is imperative for Southern Nevada to implement such a system because fugitives often end up in Las Vegas or at least pass through the city.

"As close as Las Vegas is to other areas, we need to coordinate with law enforcement from other states," he said. "This goes beyond the localized aspect and takes a broader view."

Staff members are expected to return to the board with a plan in late September.