Res. No. 773

Resolution calling upon the New York State Department of Transportation to broadcast all AMBER Alerts on its Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) and Traveler Information Stations (TIS).

By Council Members Vallone Jr., Fidler, Foster, Gentile, Gerson, Jackson, Lopez, Nelson, Palma, Quinn, Recchia Jr., Sears, Weprin and Gennaro

                     Whereas, Most recent reports indicate that there are approximately 797,500 children reported missing nationally with roughly 22,000 missing children reported in New York State; and

Whereas, The America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response (AMBER) Alert system was initially created as a legacy to 9-year old Amber Hagerman, who was kidnapped while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas; and

Whereas, The AMBER Alert system now serves as a model for many states and as an effective tool resulting in successful recoveries of abducted children; and

Whereas, The New York State AMBER Alert Plan, operational since September 2002, is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement, broadcasters and others to immediately involve the public, especially motorists, in the search for abducted children; and

Whereas, The New York State Police Communications Section (NYSP COMSEC) currently records and broadcasts the audio Emergency Alert System (EAS) message on radio and television programming in the activation area(s); and

Whereas, AMBER Alert information is also disseminated through highway variable message signs, lottery in-store ticket terminals, NYS Thruway Authority service areas, DMV issuing office message boards and appear on New York State AMBER, New York State Police and New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services Missing and Exploited Children Clearinghouse websites; and

                     Whereas, The State Department of Transportation currently has highway advisory radio and traveler information stations that broadcast information pertaining to traffic hazards, detours, dangerous driving conditions and motor vehicle laws but does not broadcast AMBER Alert information; and

                     Whereas, Despite numerous approaches to circulate AMBER Alert information, motorists on highways managed by the State Department of Transportation may not receive comprehensive information on abducted children; and

                     Whereas, Many of the highways within New York City, such as the Long Island Expressway, the Brooklyn Queens Expressway and Grand Central Parkway, are managed by the State Department of Transportation, leaving city motorists without a dedicated highway advisory radio station to tune into for child abduction notifications; and

Whereas, The New York State Thruway Authority instructs their motorists to tune into the Thruway’s nearest Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) station, where AMBER Alert notifications are continually broadcast; and

Whereas, Other State Departments of Transportation, such as that of Rhode Island, Virginia and Maryland, all broadcast AMBER Alert notifications on their respective Highway Advisory Radio frequencies; and

Whereas, The State Department of Transportation, as an AMBER Alert Plan partner, can play a stronger role in recovering abducted children by utilizing their radio frequencies to broadcast all AMBER Alerts; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Department of Transportation to broadcast all AMBER Alerts on its Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) and Traveler Information System (TIS).

LS2197

12-20-04