Topsie -

In the US an "amber alert" currently has a very specific meaning.

Laws were passed in many states following a sensational kidnapping and murder of a young girl named "Amber." These laws were frequently given the name "Amber's Law" as their "common name" both during and following passage.

Advocates for the laws have persuaded the FCC to allow special alerts by broadcasters when certain conditions indicating a kidnapping of a child has occured, and these are called "Amber Alerts." They are accompanied by a truly obnoxious noise and an announcement that "a chid has been kidnapped and is in danger. Your help is needed in locating them."

While a number of children have been located after they were reported missing in an Amber Alert, there is little evidence that significant number have been located because of an Amber Alert; but the possibility that one might help is probably sufficient to support continued use of the method.

John