1. Radio
 / Modified feb 6, 2018 10:11 a.m.

Navajo Nation Amber Alert System Goes Live

The mass notification system, in test mode, can reach 11 counties in three states when a child goes missing. by Laurel Morales, Fronteras Desk

Navajo Nation map SPOT
Public domain

If the Navajo Nation needs to issue an Amber Alert when a child goes missing, it’s able to do that now. Its Amber Alert System is now operating in test mode.

Emergency Services Coordinator Harland Cleveland said the system reaches across the entire reservation — 11 counties in three states. Navajo police are still learning how to use the software.

“It’s called a mass notification system, which is also like reverse 911 in case we have to notify people of an emergency in their local areas,” Cleveland said. “We’re also able to issue wireless emergency alerts and tap into the NOAA radio.”

In May 2016, the tribe realized it needed the technology when an 11-year-old girl and her brother went missing. It took seven hours after they were reported missing before an Amber Alert was issued. The boy was freed but the girl was killed.

Fronteras Desk
This story is from the Fronteras Desk, a collaboration of Southwestern public radio stations, including NPR 89.1. Read more from the Fronteras Desk.
MORE: Fronteras Desk, Indigenous Affairs, News
By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona