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The Ontario Provincial Police are marking today (January 13) as AMBER Alert Awareness Day, reminding Ontarians that the emergency alert system plays a critical role in locating abducted children and saving lives.
An AMBER Alert is only issued in the most serious situations, when police believe a child under the age of 18 has been abducted and is at imminent risk of serious bodily harm or death.
Before an alert is sent, strict criteria must be met, including the belief that releasing descriptive information about the child, suspect, or vehicle will help locate the child quickly.
When activated, AMBER Alerts are broadcast immediately through television, radio, and LTE-connected wireless devices via Canada’s Alert Ready system.
Police stress that time is critical during these incidents and that members of the public should remain alert for details provided and report any sightings or information directly to 911.
The OPP also remind the public that calling 911 to complain about receiving an AMBER Alert is considered public mischief and may result in criminal charges.
More information about how AMBER Alerts work and how the public can help is available at opp.ca/AMBERAlert.