Texas DPS Marks National AMBER Alert Day and Urges Public Vigilance
Texas DPS Marks National AMBER Alert Day and Urges Public Vigilance
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) used National AMBER Alert Day on Jan. 13, 2026 to remind drivers and families how vital the state’s alert network is for recovering missing children. According to Homeland Security Division Chief Gerald Brown, when an AMBER Alert is activated “it sets an immediate and unified response into motion.” Local, state and federal agencies coordinate to share information, mobilize resources and quickly channel tips that can help locate a child. DPS officials urged residents to pay attention to messages displayed on highway signs or sent through mobile phones and broadcasts, and to call 911 immediately if they spot a possible match.
The AMBER (America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) program dates to 1996, when nine-year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted from her Arlington, Texas neighborhood and found murdered four days later. Her death spurred local broadcasters and law enforcement to create the first alert system in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, and Texas later formalized a statewide network by executive order in 2002 and legislation in 2003. In 2023 the Legislature authorized local activation under certain circumstances, reflecting lessons learned from the abduction of seven-year-old Athena Strand. The program has since inspired similar systems nationwide and is credited with helping recover more than a thousand abducted children.
DPS emphasized that the AMBER Alert is just one element of a broader Statewide Alert Program. The agency administers several other targeted warnings, including Silver Alerts for missing older adults, Blue Alerts to mobilize the public when a law-enforcement officer is attacked, Endangered Missing Persons alerts, CLEAR Alerts for serious crimes such as murder or sexual assault, Power Outage alerts and Active Shooter notifications. Each type of alert has specific legal criteria set by the Texas Legislature. Only authorized agencies can request activation, and alerts remain active until the requesting authority confirms that a missing person has been found or that the alert is no longer needed.
For motorists, these alerts are more than roadside messages – they are calls to action. DPS officials urge anyone driving or traveling in Texas to take a moment to read alert details and be observant. The agency notes that community awareness is essential; timely tips from drivers have often led to the swift recovery of abducted children. DPS also reminds the public not to attempt to intervene themselves; instead, they should contact law enforcement with any information that could aid the search.
National AMBER Alert Day serves as a yearly reminder of the program’s lifesaving power. As Texans commemorate the 30th anniversary of Amber Hagerman’s abduction, DPS is highlighting how far the state’s alert system has come and encouraging residents to stay vigilant. By remaining attentive to AMBER Alerts and other statewide warnings, drivers can play a critical role in protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring that Texas roads remain safe.