Ontario police say more than 90% of Amber Alerts lead to safe recovery of children
Police in Ontario are marking Amber Alert Awareness Day by highlighting the efficacy of the system used to locate children believed to be in danger following an abduction.
In a news release issued Friday, Ontario Provincial Police said it’s issued 21 Amber Alerts to mobile phones since 2018 at an average of four alerts per year.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Three of those alerts were issued following abductions in the OPP’s jurisdiction, while the remaining 18 were issued on behalf of other police services across the province.
As a result, more than 90 per cent of the alerts issued in that time have lead to the safe recovery of a child, the OPP said.
"Many alerts are resolved thanks to people like you who see or hear something following an alert that they report to police,” OPP Insp. Todd Pittman said in a news release.
“Your assistance is essential, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Without your help, we might be reporting very different statistics today."
Adopted by the Ontario government in 2003, in collaboration with Ontario law enforcement and radio/television stations, Amber Alerts are only issued if an abducted child is believed to be in danger.
Typically, the OPP said, when a child is abducted, the offender goes on the run to evade detection. In a matter of hours, they can travel hundreds of kilometres, which is why the alerts are issued provincewide, according to the OPP.
When an alert appears on your phone, the OPP asks that you click the embedded link to access relevant details at amberalert.opp.ca, including information about the abduction, descriptions of the child or children, the person accused in the abduction, and any vehicle involved.
The Amber Alert system was created after nine-year-old Amber Hagerman was kidnapped from Arlington, Texas and murdered in 1996.
Following the tragedy, an emergency alert system was developed to facilitate the rapid distribution of information to the public in the event of a child abduction.
The system was named after Hagerman and stands for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.