News Releases for August 2002
August 30, 2002
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Hoeven Issues Executive Order Implementing Statewide Amber Alert Network
Amber Alert Executive Order 2002-06 
(184kb pdf)
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today issued an executive order directing the North Dakota Highway Patrol, in cooperation with the Division of Emergency Management, State Radio and other state agencies, to implement a statewide Amber Alert system by January 1, 2003.
Amber Alert is a partnership between law enforcement agencies and broadcasters to send out an emergency alert to the public when a child is abducted and believed to be in grave danger. The system was created in Texas after the murder of Amber Hagerman, a nine-year-old girl who was abducted from her home in 1996.
“We have all been deeply troubled by reports of child abductions throughout the country,” Hoeven said. “We need to do all we can to protect our children. When a child is abducted, we want to know that every resource available is working to bring that child safely home. A statewide Amber Alert system will, within minutes, trigger the resources of state and local law enforcement, the broadcasting industry and the public to help protect our children.”
Barry Schumaier, Chairman of the N.D. Broadcasters Association and sales manager of KFYR-TV, expressed support for the statewide effort: “The Amber Plan for North Dakota is an excellent example of law enforcement and the media partnering together to protect and recover our children. North Dakota Broadcasters are truly concerned about the communities they serve and live in.”
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, time is of the essence in protecting abducted children. Children are in most jeopardy within the first three hours of abduction. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports that 16 kids have been recovered because of Amber Alert systems, excluding two recently recovered alive in California within weeks of that state’s implementation of an Amber Alert plan. Since implementation, the Amber Alert system in Texas has been credited with safely recovering at least five children.
Recently, the City of Fargo has implemented a similar system, the Jeanna Alert, named after 11-year-old Jeanna North, who was abducted and murdered in 1993. The system came to national prominence recently after reports of a number of abduction cases around the country, including one in which two young California women were recovered alive after a statewide Amber Alert was issued.
"Amber Alert plan is about saving a child's life,” said Col Jim Hughes, Superintendent of the North Dakota Highway Patrol. “In addition to having a hundred law enforcement officers looking for a child, we can have all of our citizens alerted and keeping a watchful eye. Governor Hoeven has always believed in the partnership of state, county, city and tribal government. Once again, this is an excellent effort to bring those resources together.”
Hoeven issued the directive in an executive order, designating the North Dakota Highway Patrol (HP) the lead agency in formulating and implementing an Amber Alert plan. The order directs HP to work with the Division of Emergency Management to insert an Amber Alert procedure into the North Dakota Emergency Operations Plan, which outlines the state’s response to a wide range of natural and manmade emergencies. Under the current plan, HP is charged with activating public safety staff and coordinating law enforcement support to local government.
Highway Patrol is also partnering with the North Dakota Broadcasters Association, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, North Dakota Sheriffs Association and North Dakota Police Chief’s Association.
“County and city law enforcement officials have done a great job of getting this initiative started throughout our state,” Hoeven said. “These are the kinds of steps that help to keep North Dakota safe. Now state and local agencies are working together and with neighboring states to help protect children in our state, region and country.”
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