Executive Summary
- AMBER Alert Criteria: Alerts are issued only for abducted children 17 and under who face imminent danger of serious injury or death.
- Silver Alert Mandates: Utah law requires alerts for missing persons over 60 or those of any age with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or autism.
- Endangered and Missing Advisories: This tier addresses suspicious disappearances that do not meet AMBER thresholds but still involve significant risk.
- Reporting Protocols: Officials state there is no waiting period to report a missing person and urge immediate contact with law enforcement.
SALT LAKE CITY — Law enforcement agencies in Utah utilize a tiered system of public alerts to locate missing persons, with specific protocols governing the activation of AMBER Alerts, Silver Alerts, and Endangered and Missing Advisories (EMA). According to the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS), each designation carries distinct criteria designed to mobilize public assistance based on the age of the victim and the level of imminent danger.
The AMBER Alert system, a national program established in 1996, is reserved for the most critical cases involving abducted children. To issue an AMBER Alert in Utah, law enforcement must confirm that a child 17 years old or younger has been abducted and faces imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death. Additionally, authorities must possess sufficient descriptive information about the victim, suspect, or vehicle to assist the public in locating them. These alerts are broadcast via television, radio, electronic roadway signs, and cellular networks to maximize immediate visibility.
For cases that do not meet the strict thresholds of an AMBER Alert, state officials may issue an Endangered and Missing Advisory. This advisory functions as a voluntary partnership between law enforcement and local broadcasters. Guidelines for an EMA require that a person be missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances, or be in danger due to factors such as age, health, disability, or environmental conditions. Unlike AMBER Alerts, EMAs are typically not transmitted to cellular phones or highway signs, relying instead on media distribution to raise awareness.
The state also employs the Silver Alert system, which became operational in May 2019, specifically to protect vulnerable adults. Under Utah Criminal Code 53-10-702, a Silver Alert is mandatory if a missing individual is over the age of 60, or is of any age and suffers from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or autism. Because cognitive decline can significantly impair an individual’s ability to ensure their own safety, these alerts are displayed on highway signage in the area where the person was last seen, as well as distributed online and through media channels.
Public Safety Impact
The stratification of missing person alerts into distinct categories serves a critical operational function in emergency management. By enforcing strict criteria for high-level notifications like AMBER Alerts, authorities aim to prevent public desensitization, often referred to as “alert fatigue,” ensuring that widespread emergency broadcasts remain effective. Simultaneously, the specialized parameters for Silver Alerts and EMAs allow law enforcement to deploy targeted resources for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or those with cognitive impairments, without overwhelming the emergency broadcast infrastructure.
