Truckers: Stewards of GPS AMBER Alert

Every year in the United States, approximately 800,000 children end up missing or become targets of predators. AMBER Alert and GPS, the most powerful tracking device, can add an invaluable safety mechanism for the protection of your children. The device can be placed in a child's pocket, backpack, or attached to a wrist, ankle, or belt. After setting a defined perimeter, a detailed map and address of your child's whereabouts can be received on your cell phone or computer.

The AMBER Alert Highway Network has been proven to be its effectiveness to recover abducted children. Additionally, Qaulcomm Incorporated established a partnership with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Within this partnership, Qualcomm distributes AMBER Alerts on abducted or missing children to truck drivers. Truckers could be considered as watchdogs of American highways, as they possess unique opportunities to come into contact with predators and child abductors. The eyes and ears of thousands of truckers can be vital in helping to bring missing children home.

Qualcomm Incorporated, headquartered in San Diego, California, is known as the industry's global leader when it comes to providing high-value wireless data solutions. Satellite-based mobile communication equipment are used to work with NCMEC, trucking companies, and truck drivers nationwide. AMBER Alerts are distributed to on-board mobile-communication systems as a call for assistance.

It's quite possible that these stewards of AMBER Alert could be the first to report suspected or suspicious people on the highways. Many carriers have enrolled in the AMBER Alert Highway Network, with Ohio Trucking Association being the first carrier to participate, and several other carriers have embraced involvement with AMBER Alert GPS system.

Historically, truckers have been known for assisting stranded motorists and accident victims. The trucking industry and AMBER Alert seems to be a perfect fit. The program works as follows:

• Law enforcement personnel receives notice of a missing child.
• Truck carriers are notified.
• The information is broadcasted to on-board computers.
• Additional information is posted in driver's lounges and dispatch offices.

A lost or missing child is, undoubtedly, the most horrific ordeal that any parent can experience. The safe return of the child is, obviously, the most critical undertaking of any public entity.

Truckers have already proven to be valuable assets within the AMBER Alert system. AMBER Alerts have been credited with recovering more than 240 children, since its beginning in 1997. NCMEC was established in 1984, and has assisted law enforcement on more than 89,000 missing children cases, and helped reunite more than 73,000 children with their families, and reports a 94 percent recovery rate.