Silver Alerts begin in Washington

Law enforcement agencies in Washington began using a new notification to alert the public of missing persons who fit the criteria for a “Silver Alert”.

September 10 the first “Silver Alert” was issued for Bryant Merrick after a report was taken by Issaquah Police Department. The alert went out at 9:30am, and was posted on DOT digital billboards in three counties. Mr. Merrick was located by the Seattle Police Department Friday morning and is safe.

A Silver Alert will be activated when a missing person 60 years of age or older, suffering from a form of dementia, is not able to return to safety without assistance.

When vehicle information is associated with the Silver Alert the Department of Transportation highway signs and highway advisory radio messages will provide a brief description of the vehicle and license plate number.

For more information on how to subscribe to Silver Alerts please go to the Washington State Patrol website

Silver Alerts join AMBER Alerts, Endangered Missing Person Advisories and Blue Alerts to assist law enforcement in getting information out to the public quickly about those most serious missing person cases and in the case of Blue Alerts, suspects in the murder or assault of a police officer.

For more information contact WSP’s AMBER Alert Coordinator Carri Gordon at 360-704-2404.