Texas has 8 statewide emergency alerts. From Amber to Silver, here’s what each one means

Megan Cardona
·4 min read

The State Network is a coordinated effort for issuing missing person and public safety advisories by the Texas Department of Public Safety and other entities.

There are eight alerts in the State Network, and each has different criteria.

Amber Alert

Amber Alert is named after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman from Arlington who was kidnapped and brutally killed in 1996. The alert also stands for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response.

According to the Department of Justice, the following criteria are guidelines to follow before issuing an Amber Alert:

  • There is reasonable belief by law enforcement that an abduction has occurred.

  • Law Enforcement believes the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.

  • There is enough descriptive information about the victim and the abduction for law enforcement to issue an Amber Alert to assist in the recovery of the child.

  • The abduction is of a child aged 17 years or younger.

  • The child’s name and other critical data elements, including the Child Abduction flag, have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system.

Silver Alert

The statewide Silver Alert was designed to notify the public of missing older adults with a documented mental condition.

The Texas Department of Public Safety outlines the following criteria for issuing a Silver Alert:

  • The missing person is 65 years or older or has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.

  • The missing person has a diagnosed impaired mental condition and their disappearance poses a credible threat to the their health and safety. Documentation of a mental condition diagnosis from a medical or mental health professional is required in order to issue the alert.

  • The senior citizen’s disappearance is due to their impaired mental condition and alternative reasons for the disappearance have been ruled out

  • The Silver Alert request is made within 72 hours of the senior citizen’s disappearance

  • There is sufficient information available for the public to assist in locating the senior citizen

Blue Alert

Blue Alerts are designed to alert the public of criminals who kill or seriously wound local, state or federal law enforcement officers.

The Texas Department of Public Safety outlines the following criteria for issuing a Blue Alert:

  • A law enforcement officer must have been killed or seriously injured by an offender.

  • The offender poses a serious risk or threat to the public and other law enforcement personnel.

  • A detailed description of the offender’s vehicle, vehicle tag or partial tag must be available to broadcast to the public.

  • The investigating law enforcement agency of jurisdiction must recommend activation of the Blue Alert to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Endangered Missing Persons Alert

An Endangered Missing Persons Alert is meant for missing people of any age with an intellectual disability.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the following criteria has to be met for an Endangered Missing Persons Alert:

  • The missing person is diagnosed with an intellectual disability or an pervasive developmental disorder. Law enforcement require a written diagnosis from a physician or psychologist licensed to practice in Texas, or certified by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services or the Texas Department of State Health Services.

  • There is a credible threat to the health and safety of the missing person.

  • Made within 72 hours of the missing person’s disappearance.

  • There is sufficient information available to broadcast to the public to help locate the missing person.

Camo Alert

A Camo Alert is designed to notify the public of a missing current or former member of the United States armed forces.

The Texas Department of Public Safety outlines the following criteria for issuing a Camo Alert:

  • The missing military member is registered for the Camo Alert program.

  • The missing person is confirmed to be a current or former member of the United States armed forces, including the National Guard or a reserve or auxiliary unit of any branch of the armed forces.

  • The missing person suffers from a mental illness, including post-traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury.

  • The disappearance poses a credible threat to the military member’s health and safety or the health and safety of another.

CLEAR Alert

A CLEAR Alert is designed to assist law enforcement in locating missing, kidnapped or abducted adults or adults who are in immediate danger of injury or death. CLEAR Alert stands for Cayley Mandadi; D’Lisa Kelley; Erin Castro; Ashanti Billie and the Rest.

The Texas Department of Public Safety outlines the following criteria for issuing a Camo Alert:

  • The missing person is 18-64 years old.

  • The missing adult is in imminent danger of bodily injury or death.

  • The CLEAR Alert is requested within 72 hours of the individual’s disappearance.

  • There is sufficient information available to broadcast to the public to help locate the missing person.

Power Outage Alert

Power Outage Alerts can be requested by the Public Utility Commission of Texas or any of the four independent organizations with oversight of the Texas power grid.

This alert is issued when power supply is inadequate to meet demand for the state or a region.

Active Shooter Alert

Active Shooter Alerts are designed to alert the public of a nearby active shooter situation and encouraging them to avoid the area or to shelter-in-place.