WSP Receives Complaints About Early-Morning Amber Alert

The Washington State Patrol is asking people not to opt out of a new mobile-based Amber Alert system after an early-morning notification that caused some to log complaints with the agency over the weekend.

Did you receive an Amber Alert this weekend? Have you considered opting out of the notifications? Tell us in the comments section.

WSP sent out a news release on Monday to remind people that Amber Alerts are now part of a national Wireless Emergency Alert System organized by the US Department of Justice and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The system, WSP says, works with wireless carriers to send out emergency alerts based on the real-time organizers of mobile devices. Along with Amber Alerts, the program also includes alerts issued by the president and "imminent threat alerts," which include "severe man-made or natural disasters."

An Amber Alert went out early Sunday morning regarding the alleged abduction of a Montana boy by his parents, who do not have custody of the child. He was found safe in Fife a short time later—an outcome WSP says has been directly credited to the Amber Alert system.

It's entirely possible for cell phone users to opt out of Amber Alerts by calling their wireless providers, but WSP, which administers the program in Washington state, is encouraging people not to do so. It also said an advisory committee is drafting rules that will help ensure the alerts go out "ONLY when enough information is known to assist in locating the child through these methods and the timing including the time of day is conducive to public awareness."

Amber Alerts have resulted in the safe recovery of more than 640 abducted children nationwide, according to the state patrol.