what does amber alert mean

Amber Alert is a broadcast system used to enlist public help in locating a missing or abducted child believed to be in imminent danger. The alerts disseminate key details about the child, the suspected abductor, and the vehicle (when available) across media, digital signs, and wireless networks to mobilize communities quickly. The term AMBER stands for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response, named in honor of Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl whose abduction in 1996 helped inspire the program. Each jurisdiction determines activation based on specific criteria, but generally requires a confirmed child abduction and reasonable belief that the child is in imminent danger.