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KS Amber Fails; Immediate Investigation Launched

By Brian Hagen

12/07/2016

KS Atty General Derek Schmidt

(MSC News)--“Unacceptable.” That's what Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt calls this week's failure of cellphone alerts related to the issuance of an Amber Alert.

According to a press release from his office, Schmidt has ordered a top-to-bottom review of the operations of the Kansas Amber Alert, asking KBI Director Kirk Thompson to conduct a complete review of the program. Schmidt wants to see that completed, along with recommended steps that can be taken to ensure reliability, no later than January 31.

Schmidt's concerns arise from the issuance of an Amber Alert this week when a mother and her three children were reported as having been abducted from their Wichita home. “The Amber Alert program is a vital public safety tool,” Schmidt said. “During the critical time of need when a child has been abducted, there is no room for error. Any mistake or procedural failure, regardless of its cause, that results in an Amber Alert being less than fully implemented and effective in a timely manner is unacceptable and must be addressed.”

The Amber Alert System was activated to alert the public of the situation, but he special signal that activates cellphones failed to activate.

As part of the review, Schmidt asked Thompson to convene a meeting of the full Amber Alert Advisory Board to ensure all Amber Alert partners have the opportunity for input.

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