Executive Summary
- Michigan lawmakers are considering a “Green Alert” system to locate missing veterans and active-duty service members.
- The proposal is modeled after Amber and Silver Alerts and targets individuals with PTSD, dementia, or mental health risks.
- State Rep. Cam Cavitt and advocate Bob Bull are leading the bipartisan initiative.
- The system relies on caregivers reporting missing persons to law enforcement to trigger the notification.
Michigan lawmakers are advancing legislation to establish a “Green Alert” notification system designed to expedite the search for missing veterans and active-duty military personnel at risk of mental health crises. The proposed system mirrors the existing infrastructure of the Amber Alert for missing children and the Silver Alert for seniors, aiming to provide immediate public notification when a service member is reported missing and believed to be in danger.
The initiative stems from a resolution drafted by Bob Bull, a Vietnam veteran and advocate from Ypsilanti, Michigan. According to Bull, the specialized alert is necessary to address the unique challenges faced by veterans, including elevated risks of self-harm resulting from service-related trauma. “I’ve been waiting for it to happen, I’ve been praying for it to happen,” Bull stated, emphasizing the duty to protect those who served. “If we can get an alert out there and we can say, ‘hey, one of the persons who held their hand up and swore that they would die for you is alone out there and needs help,’ I think that’s important.”
State Representative Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan) is sponsoring the resolution in Lansing. Cavitt indicated that the system would function similarly to current emergency alerts but would be specifically tailored to identify veterans suffering from conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), dementia, or other mental health issues. “A caregiver is who is able to call to report this, and then they would work with law enforcement to get it onto the alert system,” Cavitt explained to reporters.
According to legislative records, the proposal has received bipartisan support within the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. Cavitt noted that because the technological infrastructure for emergency alerts already exists, the implementation should be streamlined. The representative described the initiative as a non-partisan public safety measure, stating, “Mental health and public safety are not partisan issues.” Following the committee process, the resolution is expected to be introduced as a bill on the House floor.
Legislative Trajectory
The progression of the Green Alert resolution highlights a growing trend among U.S. states to diversify emergency notification systems for specific vulnerable populations. By utilizing existing broadcasting networks, the state aims to reduce the response time in critical missing person cases involving veterans. If passed, the legislation would mandate coordination between the Michigan State Police and local law enforcement agencies to define the specific criteria for issuing a Green Alert, ensuring the system is used effectively without desensitizing the public to emergency notifications.
