How does it work?:

Once law enforcement has determined that a child has been abducted and the abduction meets Amber Alert criteria, law enforcement activates the Emergency Alert System. This notifies broadcasters and state transportation officials. Amber Alerts interrupt regular programming and are broadcast on radio and television and on highway signs. Amber Alerts can also be issued on lottery tickets, to wireless devices such as mobile phones, and over the Internet. Through the coordination of local, state, and regional plans, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is working towards the creation of a seamless national network. - excerpted from Amberalert.gov

Go to Arizonaamberalert.com to sign-up to have Amber Alerts sent to your phone or e-mail.

The Arizona Missing/Abducted Child Alert Plan is a cooperative agreement between the Office of the Governor, the Arizona Broadcasters Association, and area law enforcement agencies for the purpose of maximizing the potential recovery of a missing/abducted child. This plan activates the full resources of the media in the initial crucial hours. We activate the Arizona Missing/Abducted Child Alert Plan when all the required conditions of the alert are met.

BOTH conditions below must be met to activate the alert:

1. A child 17 years of age or younger is abducted and there is reason to believe that the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death

OR

A child medically diagnosed as suffering mental or physical disability is missing or abducted and there is reason to believe the child is in imminent danger or serious bodily injury or death

AND

2. There is information available to disseminate to the general public which could assist in the recovery of the child and/or the apprehension of a suspect.