Purple Alerts in Florida

The Politics of Autism discusses the problems of wandering and day-to-day safety.

In Alaska and other states, "silver alerts" notify the public and first responders when people with developmental disabilities go missing.  (Silver alerts were originally for the elderly.)

Q McCray,  and Matt Reeser, WFTV:

Chances are you’ve heard of an Amber Alert for missing kids, a Silver Alert for seniors, and a Blue Alert for suspects on the run.

Now officials are set to add another color to Florida’s emergency alert system.

Beginning Friday, a Purple Alert will be put into effect across the state to help notify residents if a person with mental or cognitive disabilities is missing and might be in danger.

From the Florida Department of Law Enforcement:

The Florida Chiefs and Sheriffs, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Lottery, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Florida legislators have worked in conjunction with concerned citizens and organizations to develop Florida's Purple Alert Plan.

The Florida Purple Alert is used to assist in the location of missing adults suffering from a mental or cognitive disability that is not Alzheimer's disease or a dementia-related disorder; an intellectual disability or a developmental disability; a brain injury; other physical, mental or emotional disabilities that are not related to substance abuse; or a combination of any of these and whose disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or seriously bodily harm. Purple Alerts engage the public in the search for the missing person and provide a standardized and coordinated community response.


FDLE PURPLE ALERT NOTIFICATION REGISTRATION


SIGN UP to receive Florida Purple Alerts directly in your email. You can be notified as soon as an alert is issued and potentially play a role in the safe recovery of a missing adult. The alert flyer will be sent directly to your home computer, smart phone or other email capable device. You can modify your existing registration or cancel at any time. Already a subscriber? Update your profile.


Florida Purple Alert Criteria and Frequently Asked Questions