In certain critical situations, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) issues a CLEAR Alert, a tool that aids in locating endangered adults who are missing or have been abducted. Unveiled in 2019, this alert system comes with its own set of specific criteria and legislation, serving an essential role in ensuring public safety. This article delves into the depths of what a CLEAR Alert really is, its purpose, its history, and how it fits into the wider array of Texas’ emergency alert systems.
Contents
Understanding the CLEAR Alert
The CLEAR Alert, standing for Coordinated Law Enforcement Adult Rescue, is a public safety advisory that was designed to address a specific age gap that was not covered by existing alert systems. It aims to assist in the search and recovery of adults who are missing, abducted, or in immediate danger. Additionally, it aids in identifying potential suspects related to these incidents.
The alert system was not only created to bridge the gap between alerts for missing children (AMBER Alert) and senior citizens (Silver Alert), but it also serves as a tribute to victims of violence. The acronym ‘CLEAR’ represents five victims who have significantly influenced the legislation of the alert:
- Cayley Mandadi
- D’Lisa Kelley
- Erin Castro
- Ashanti Billie
- and the Rest
Criteria for Issuing a CLEAR Alert
Before a CLEAR Alert can be issued, certain conditions must be met. These criteria are pivotal in ensuring that the alert system is used appropriately and effectively.
The criteria for issuing a CLEAR Alert include:
- The missing individual should be between the ages of 18 and 64
- A preliminary investigation should verify that the adult is in imminent danger of bodily harm or death, or the adult’s disappearance should be involuntary such as in the case of an abduction or kidnapping
- The request for the alert must come within 72 hours of the adult’s disappearance
- There should be sufficient information available to disseminate to the public, which could help in locating the adult, a suspect, or a vehicle used in the incident
Once a law enforcement agency determines that a case satisfies these criteria, a request is made to DPS for the issuance of a CLEAR Alert.
The Wider Network of Texas’ Alert Systems
In addition to the CLEAR Alert, Texas has seven other standardized public safety advisories that are coordinated by the DPS. These advisories appear on local media, road signs, social media, smart devices, and on computer screens at businesses that sell Texas Lottery products.
AMBER Alert
An AMBER Alert is issued for children 17 years and younger who are believed to have been abducted. The missing person must be 17 or younger, their disappearance unwilling, and they must be in immediate danger of sexual assault, death or injury.
Silver Alert
Silver Alerts are issued for missing people who are 65 years or older, or who have cognitive impairments like Alzheimer’s Disease. The missing person must be 65 or older or diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and their disappearance must pose a threat to their health or safety.
Blue Alert
Blue Alerts are issued to help locate individuals suspected of injuring or killing local, state, or federal law enforcement officers. The subject of the alert must be suspected of causing serious harm to a member of law enforcement and must pose a threat to public safety.
Endangered Missing Persons Alert
This category is similar to a Silver Alert and helps authorities find someone who’s been diagnosed with an intellectual disability or developmental disorder. The person must have an intellectual disability or developmental disorder confirmed by a physician, and the disappearance must pose a credible threat to the person’s safety.
Camo Alert
The Camo Alert informs the public about missing current and former members of the United States armed forces, including the National Guard, reserve, or auxiliary unit. The missing person needs to be a confirmed current or former member of the military or National Guard, and there needs to be a demonstrated threat to the health and safety of the missing military member or the public.
Power Outage Alert
The Texas Power Outage Alert is issued when the state’s power supply is inadequate to meet demand. It can be requested by the state’s Public Utilities Commission or any of its four independent grid operators.
Active Shooter Alert
The Active Shooter Alert is designed to alert people in close proximity of active shooter situations. The active shooter needs to be in the agency’s jurisdiction, and the shooter’s last known location is known. The alert is most often sent to smart devices and roadside dynamic message signs.
Conclusion
The CLEAR Alert serves a crucial purpose in the field of public safety, helping law enforcement agencies in locating missing adults in dangerous situations. Texas’ range of alert systems, including the CLEAR Alert, represents a comprehensive approach to ensuring public safety in various scenarios. Each alert system, with its unique criteria and purpose, forms an integral part of this safety network.
