AMBER ALERT system into the East Tennessee area: Update

Area representatives representing television, newspaper, radio and emergency and law enforcement agencies have joined forces along with the Knoxville Police Department to help implement the AMBER ALERT system into the East Tennessee area. Co-Publisher of The Seymour Herald Michele Karl is part of that task force. She will be keeping the Seymour area residents informed of updates on the program as they become available. As of our last meeting regarding the AMBER ALERT, we have made substantial progress identifying the problems and needs of an AMBER ALERT Plan for our area. Knoxville Police Chief Phil Keith is working together with area media personnel, emergency and law enforcement organizations to bring the plan into effect as soon as possible. The criteria for implementing an AMBER ALERT changes from area to area but basically the following will have to fall into place for an alert to be set. • A child must be 17 years old or younger (this changes from state to state). • Confirm an abduction has occurred • There is a threat of physical injury or death • Or have a mental or physical disability At last week’s meeting we discussed the logistics of putting the plan together and worked at “working out the bugs” to put the plan into effect as quickly as possible. The Knoxville Police Department along with other law enforcement agencies hope to have the plan ready to go with a kickoff planned at Safety City in Knoxville on October 16th at 10:00 a.m. Some of the issues we are discussing include setting up an 800 number, staffing considerations, and establishing plans. As our work progresses, we will keep our readers informed. Be sure to look at our weekly feature ‘Have you seen me?’ in this week’s paper. Perhaps YOU can help locate a missing child.