Nationwide Alert System Created for Missing Indigenous Persons

Governor Inslee signed Bill 1725 which creates an endangered missing person advisory.

It means there will be a “missing indigenous person alert” in Wash, along with the amber alert and the silver alert.

It is the first nationwide and will provide authorities with new tools to disseminate information to the public to find indigenous people.

Representative Debra Lekanoff says the system is an opportunity to be heard.

“The alert system is opening up and removing the hand away from the mouth. And that alert system is to scream from our women and our people who have gone missing or murdered.”

The law modifies the definition of a “missing endangered person” to include missing indigenous women or indigenous people.

The public will receive the alert through the broadcaster’s network and text messages.

It will inform about any missing indigenous people, regardless of their age or the circumstances of their disappearance.

Abduction, foul play or extenuating circumstances will not be required to launch the missing indigenous person alert.

The task force members will work with the Washington State Patrol and the Broadcasters Association on education, training, and development.