DETROIT (WXYZ) — A new system has been put in place to help locate missing children in Detroit, the city's police department announced on Monday morning.
The Emerald Alerts, named after the color of the Spirit of Detroit statue, will be a system that Detroiters can use to submit tips about missing kids, for cases that may not qualify as Amber Alerts.
"(Families) all deserve this so we can bring them home as safely as possible," said interim chief Todd Bettison in the press conference alongside City Council President Mary Sheffield and Detroit Deputy Chief Franklin Hayes. "If just one person sees the alert, it can give us the tip we need."
Watch the video report below:
This technology was developed specifically to help assist missing children, adults with special needs, a non-domestic kidnapping of an adult, Amber Alerts, or any case where foul play is expected.
"We are able to send that out relatively immediately as soon as we get the information from family members," Deputy Chief Hayes said. "We are now able to move at light speed to get them the help they need."
Watch the full press conference below
Police are encouraging residents to enroll in Detroit Alerts 365, with the following benefits:
- Get important alerts and non-emergency notifications, based on your address, directly to your cell phone, home phone, text, or email.
- Receive notifications targeted to residents in a specific area experiencing emergency conditions.
- Secure personal data in the CodeRED system.
You can register for Detroit Alerts 365 and download the CodeRED Mobile Alert app at this link.
