Final answer:
To activate an AMBER alert, law enforcement contacts the state's AMBER alert program via a designated phone number. The alert is then broadcasted on various platforms, and the NCMEC can be contacted for coordination. The exact number varies by state.
Step-by-step explanation:
An AMBER alert can be activated by law enforcement when a child has been abducted and is believed to be in grave danger. The authority responsible for the case, typically the local police department or the state's law enforcement agency, must follow their specific protocol to issue an AMBER alert. Typically, they would call designated contacts within their state's AMBER alert program, which could include a specific phone number dedicated to this process. The number to call often differs by state or territory, but generally, there is a statewide hotline or a designated law enforcement point of contact who initiates the alert system.
Once the AMBER alert is activated, it is broadcasted through various means such as highway signs, television, radio, and digital billboards. In more recent years, alerts also reach the public via text messages, social media platforms, and email notifications, allowing for widespread dissemination to aid in the safe recovery of the child.
In addition to contacting the appropriate authorities to issue an AMBER alert, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) can also be contacted, as they play a significant role in the coordination and dissemination of AMBER alerts.