How does an Amber Alert work in Quebec?

An Amber Alert is an emergency bulletin system that is launched when someone under the age of 18 has disappeared and feared to be in immediate danger.

It is designed to let the public know, as quickly as possible,that a child is missing and to circulate information that may be helpful in locating them.

"In case of extreme emergency, this tool allows us to have more people looking out, which can make a difference," said Vincent Rozon, commander of the major crimes division of the Montreal police.

The information about the missing child is immediately broadcast by news organizations onradio, television, internet and social media.

It is also posted in public places, such as train and Metro stations, along highways and in airports.

However, not all cases of missing children qualify for Amber Alerts. As an emergency measure, it has to meet very specific criteria.

Here is how an Amber Alert works.

What is the criteria of an Amber Alert?

In order for police to launch anAmber Alert, the disappearance of a child has to meet the following criteria:

• There are grounds to believe that a child has been abducted.
• The circumstances suggestthat a child is in immediate physical danger.
• Police have detailed information about the child, the suspect and their means of transport.

What information is provided to the public?

In the case of an Amber Alert, the public will receive the following information:

• A detailed description of the child.
• A description of the suspect.
• The means of transportation used.

Who can launch Amber Alerts?

In Quebec, only two police forces are authorized to issue an Amber Alert: the Sret du Qubecand the Montreal police.

How long are they broadcast?

When an Amber Alert is issued for a child who has gone missing, it must be broadcast for a minimum of five hours.

If it is issued past 9 p.m., however, it must be broadcast for a minimum of 12 hours.

Who do you contact if you're a witness?

In Quebec, if you are a witness or have information to provide concerning an alert, you can contact the following numbers:

• 911.
• 310-4141.
• *4141 (for smartphones).

Anyone with information will be asked toprovide as many details as possible about location, physical appearance andmeans of transportation.

When did the emergency measure come into effect?

The Amber Alert program was created in 1996 in theUnited States. Itis named afterAmber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl from Arlington, Texas, who was abducted and killed earlier that year.

Quebec adoptedits own Amber Alert system on May 26, 2003.