AMBER Alert

What is AMBER Alert?

The Nova Scotia AMBER Alert system is a voluntary partnership, between law enforcement agencies, media outlets, and the public, that establishes a protocol to activate an urgent public appeal for information in the most serious of child or vulnerable person abduction cases. The program gives the public up-to-date information about an abduction by using widespread media and social media broadcasts and soliciting the public's help in having the child/vulnerable person returned home safely.

How the Program works

When an AMBER Alert is activated in Nova Scotia, information will be shared through various mediums including media, social media and web sites. This will occur at various times until the Alert is cancelled either upon the successful conclusion of the investigation or when the Alert is considered no longer effective.

A notification will be issued to the public and will be posted on the AMBER Alert Nova Scotia Facebook page.

AMBER Alert Guidelines

  • An AMBER Alert may only be activated by the investigating police agencies
  • An AMBER Alert is intended only for the most serious, time-critical abduction cases
  • An AMBER Alert is not used for cases involving runaways or parental abduction, except in life-threatening situations

When can AMBER Alert be activated?

  • Police have confirmed that an abduction has taken place
  • The victim is a child, or of proven physical or mental disability
  • There is reason to believe the victim is in danger of serious physical injury
  • There is information available that, if broadcasted to the public, could assist in the safe recovery of the victim
  • If all of the above criteria are not met, the AMBER Alert should not be activated.

How you can help

If you hear an AMBER Alert:

  • Watch for the child, vulnerable person, suspect and / or the vehicle described in the alert
  • Give information on the location of the abduction and a description of the victim, suspect and/or any vehicle involved
  • Immediately report any findings by calling 9-1-1 or the phone number included in the alert. Do not call 9-1-1 to request information about the abduction

Wireless AMBER Alerts

If a child is abducted, spreading the information quickly is critical to the safe return of a child

You can now receive AMBER Alerts text notifications directly on cell phones and wireless devices. To subscribe go to www.wirelessAMBER.ca.

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