Occasionally, Search Dog Network will train with or receive a request for assistance from the Amber Alert Network – Brazos Valley. The AAN-BV is a local resource, formed in 2003, that works with law enforcement, the local media, and the statewide Amber Alert Network in order to reduce the amount of time needed to respond to a report of an abducted child. AAN-BV can also assist with missing child and missing adult cases that do not qualify for an Amber Alert. (There are specific criteria that exist in order for an Amber Alert to be issued. More about that below.) The AAN-BV can work on publicity and organizing appropriate resources, while law enforcement focuses on the investigation.
“Our thought process is, even if it is not an Amber Alert, it is still imperative that that child… that they’re returned to where they’re supposed to be,” said Fleeger. “Because everybody matters.”
The AAN-BV also offers a program–the Brazos Valley Child Abduction Response Team (BVCART), formed in 2010–through which agencies in the seven-county Brazos Valley train together at least annually for better and faster response in the case of an abduction. Search Dog Network is a member of BVCART.
Chuck Fleeger, retired College Station PD assistant police chief and now Executive Director of the AAN-BV, is often at downtown Bryan’s First Friday event to raise awareness. You can usually find one or two SDN team members with him. Pictured left are Chuck and K9 Seamus; K9 Rue is in the photo below right.
Regarding Amber Alerts: according to this web site, following is a summary of the criteria that must be met in order to issue an Amber Alert:
- There is reasonable belief by law enforcement that an abduction has occurred.
- The law enforcement agency believes that the child is in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.
- There is enough descriptive information about the victim and the abduction for law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert to assist in the recovery of the child.
- The abduction is of a child aged 17 years or younger.
- The child’s name and other critical data elements, including the Child Abduction flag, have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system.
You can read more details about the requirements at the linked website above.
The most important message we want to share is, if your child is missing, please know that there is NO WAITING PERIOD to report a child missing! Call 911! Here is a link to a list of other tips provided by the AAN-BV.
If you’re able to visit downtown Bryan for First Friday, stop by and say hello!