Guinn names 10 to Amber Alert panel

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003 | 10:51 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn today named 10 law enforcement officials to the statewide Amber Alert Committee that will oversee the efforts to recover abducted children.

Guinn said a plan has been drafted on using the communications system and there has been training, review and testing.

Several Southern Nevadans are on the commission: Capt. Joe Chronister, North Las Vegas Police Department operations commander; Lt. James Green of the Henderson Police Department, and Capt. Teresa Lesney of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini and Washoe County Deputy Sheriff Michelle Youngs were also named to the commission.

Bob Fisher, president of the Nevada Broadcasters Association, will serve as chairman and Adrienne Abbott of Reno will also be on the commission as a representative of broadcasters.

Others appointed to the panel include Senior Deputy Attorney General Brian Kunzi , Capt. Jacquelyn Sandage of the Nevada Highway Patrol, Adjutant General Giles Vanderhoff, Amy Wright, chief of parole and probation for the state and Philip Brown, chief of the state Criminal Investigation Division.

The law says the commission must oversee the notification system, evaluate any training, review activations of the system ensure those instances complied with the law. It also may accept grants and donations.

The committee members serve without salary or compensation for their travel or per diem expenses.

The alert system is a voluntary partnership of law enforcement and broadcasters. The system provides ways for law enforcement agencies to notify broadcasters of a missing child. Broadcasters then immediately relay the information to the public via radio and television with the hope that someone will report suspected sightings of the child, the abductor or the vehicle involved.