CONTRIBUTED BY ALEA
ALABAMA — When an individual goes missing, swift coordination and clear communication can make all the difference. In recognition of National Missing Persons Day on Feb. 3, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is highlighting the critical role the Alabama Fusion Center (AFC) plays in issuing and supporting missing person alerts across Alabama, as well as using this day to spread awareness regarding the state’s different alerts and what citizens need to know.
“The Fusion Center serves as a vital hub for information sharing, coordination and analytical support when someone goes missing,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “Every alert we issue, every flyer we create, and every case we support represents a person who matters to a family and a community. Our mission is simple, to use every resource available to help bring them home safely.”
The State of Alabama utilizes four types of Missing Person Alerts: AMBER Alerts, Emergency Missing Child Alerts (EMCA), Missing and Endangered Person Alerts (MEPA) and Blue Alerts. Each alert has specific criteria that must be met and requires sufficient information to assist in locating the missing individual, officer, or suspect. In any situation involving a missing child or adult, the first and most important step is to notify law enforcement immediately. There is no waiting period to report a missing person, and no alert requires an individual to be missing for a certain amount of time. However, only a law enforcement agency can request activation of the state alert system. Understanding the purpose and criteria of each alert helps the public respond effectively when time is critical.
The Alerts:
1. AMBER Alert – Issued when a child under the age of 18 has been abducted and is believed to be in immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death. Alabama follows the U.S. Department of Justice’s recommended AMBER Alert guidelines. Due to the strict criteria, AMBER Alerts are rare but highly targeted.
2. Emergency Missing Child Alert (EMCA) – Applies when a child under the age of 18 is missing, has not been abducted, and is believed to be in danger of serious bodily harm or death. While both alerts involve endangered children, the key distinction is whether law enforcement believes an abduction has occurred.
3. Missing and Endangered Person Alert (MEPA) – Issued for individuals who are missing and living with a mental or physical disability, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or autism, or for individuals who have been abducted and are believed to be in danger.
4. Blue Alert – Issued when a law enforcement officer is missing, injured, or killed in the line of duty and the suspect is believed to pose a serious threat to the public.
All alerts are published on ALEA’s website and distributed through a high-speed community notification system, CodeRED, which citizens can opt into. AMBER Alerts and Blue Alerts are also delivered automatically to mobile devices via Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and broadcast through radio and television using the Emergency Alert System (EAS).
For missing persons who do not meet alert criteria, ALEA’s Fusion Center continues to provide analytical support and promote awareness by posting cases on the Community Information Center to assist local law enforcement and generate leads.
“There is a common misconception that if an AMBER Alert is not issued, a missing child is not being actively searched for,” said Jay Moseley, Director of the Alabama Fusion Center. “An AMBER Alert is just one of many tools available. Behind every case, whether it is a missing child or adult, is a dedicated team at the Fusion Center working around the clock, analyzing information, coordinating with agencies and supporting investigators in the field. Regardless of the alert type, our commitment remains the same: to use every available resource to help locate missing individuals and support a safe recovery.”
Alerts by the Numbers
In 2025, the Alabama Fusion Center issued 90 missing person alerts and posted an additional 111 cases for community awareness statewide. The 90 alerts issued included:
• 1 AMBER Alert
• 1 Blue Alert
• 67 Missing and Endangered Person Alerts (MEPA)
• 21 Emergency Missing Child Alerts (EMCA)
These figures reflect only cases where local law enforcement requested ALEA’s assistance and underscore the rarity of AMBER Alerts.
Nationwide, as of December 2025, 1,292 children have been safely recovered as a direct result of AMBER Alerts, with at least 241 recoveries linked to Wireless Emergency Alerts, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In 2024, more than 349,000 reports of missing youth were entered into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
Citizen Action Steps
ALEA encourages the public to take the following steps to help ensure they receive timely information and know how to act when someone goes missing:
• Sign up for community notifications. Citizens can receive missing person alerts directly by enrolling online or by texting ALALERTS to 24639. Opting in ensures critical information reaches the public quickly.
• Report missing persons immediately. If a child or loved one is missing, contact local law enforcement right away. Be prepared to provide key details such as name, age, physical description, unique identifiers (birthmarks, scars, tattoos, glasses, or piercings), and a recent, clear photograph. Early reporting is critical to a safe recovery.
• Know the available resources. In addition to the statewide alert system, ALEA supports Project Lifesaver, a program designed to help locate at-risk individuals who may wander due to medical conditions. ALEA’s Aviation Unit assists by using specialized radio technology to quickly locate enrolled individuals by air. To learn more about obtaining a Project Lifesaver bracelet, contact your local Sheriff’s Office.
For more information about missing person alerts and resources, visit www.alea.gov.
