Blue, Silver, and Clear: Navigating the Surge of New Texas Alerts

We have all gotten the loud alerts on our phones followed by the type of alert. New types of alerts are constantly being added to the list. Do you know what each alert means?

The Texas Department of Public Safety Emergency Alert System

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) manages a network of emergency alert systems designed to mobilize the public and law enforcement during critical incidents. These alerts are distributed through various channels, including high-speed notification systems, social media, and the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on television and radio.The following is a breakdown of the specific alerts used in the Lone Star State.

AMBER Alert

The AMBER Alert (America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) is the most widely recognized system. It is activated when a child under 18 has been abducted and is believed to be in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death. For an alert to be issued, law enforcement must have enough descriptive information about the victim and the suspect to believe an immediate broadcast will assist in recovery.

Silver Alert

A Silver Alert is specifically designed to help locate missing senior citizens, typically aged 65 or older, who have a diagnosed cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer's or dementia. The alert is intended to engage the public’s help in spotting the individual, who may have wandered away on foot or in a vehicle.

Blue Alert

A Blue Alert is issued when a law enforcement officer has been killed or seriously injured by an offender who remains at large. It is also used if an officer is missing in the line of duty. The goal is to speed up the apprehension of violent criminals who pose a direct threat to the community and the police.

Endangered Missing Person Alert

This alert bridges the gap between AMBER and Silver alerts. It is used for people of any age who have an intellectual disability or a developmental disorder (such as Autism) and are missing. To qualify, law enforcement must determine that the person’s disappearance poses a credible threat to their health and safety.

CLEAR Alert

The CLEAR Alert (Coordinated Law Enforcement Adult Rescue) was created in 2019 to fill the gap for missing adults between the ages of 18 and 64 who are in immediate danger of injury or death. This system is often used in cases of suspected kidnapping or foul play that does not meet the specific criteria for an AMBER Alert.

Active Shooter Alert

Introduced more recently, the Active Shooter Alert is designed to provide rapid notification to people in the immediate vicinity of an active shooter situation. Unlike state-wide alerts, these are often geographically targeted to ensure people in the danger zone can take immediate life-saving cover.

Power Outage Alert

While not a "missing person" alert, the DPS also assists in disseminating Power Outage Alerts (often related to ERCOT or severe weather) when the stability of the state's power grid is at risk or when extreme weather poses a threat to public infrastructure.