The Florida Silver Alert is used to locate missing persons suffering from an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties. Law enforcement agencies must activate a local or regional alert as described below in an effort to locate the person prior to the issuance of a State Silver Alert.
Criteria
● The person must be 60 years and older; or,
The person must be 18-59 and law enforcement has determined the missing person lacks the capacity to consent and that the use of dynamic message signs may be the only possible way to rescue the missing person.
● The person must have an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties (e.g. Alzheimer's disease or dementia) that has been verified by law enforcement.
Local/Regional Activation Steps
Although each agency may have their own policy or requirements for activation of a local or regional Silver alert, according to the Florida Silver Alert Plan, local/regional activation must include the following steps:
1. Local law enforcement must conduct a preliminary investigation in which the agency has concluded that the disappearance poses a credible threat to the person’s welfare and safety.
2. Local law enforcement must enter the missing person into the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) and issue a statewide BOLO.
3. Local law enforcement must contact media outlets in the area and/or surrounding jurisdictions.
If a law enforcement agency has activated a local/regional Silver Alert and believes that activation of highway dynamic message signs may assist in the recovery of the missing person, the agency may request activation of a State Silver Alert.
State Silver Alert Criteria
- In addition to the above criteria, the person must be traveling by motor vehicle with an identified license plate number or other vehicle information that has been verified by law enforcement.
- Law enforcement must have activated a local/regional Silver Alert by, at a minimum, completing the steps outlined above.
State Activation Steps
- The local law enforcement agency will activate a local or regional Silver Alert.
- The local law enforcement agency will call the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC) at 1-888-356-4774.
- The FDLE will determine whether the case meets criteria for State Silver Alert activation.
- The FDLE will work in conjunction with the local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction to determine the areas for activation and prepare information for public distribution.
- The FDLE will ensure that the information is broadcast through dynamic highway message signs and via email through the Department of Elder Affairs listserv and other resources.
Note: Only law enforcement agencies can request activation of a State Silver Alert. If you would like to report a missing person, please contact your local police department or sheriff’s office first, then contact MEPIC at 1-888-FL MISSING (356-4774).
Law Enforcement Resources
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs 850-414-2000
- Media Alert 813-282-8612
- A Child is Missing, Inc. 1-888-875-2246
- Florida Department of Highway Safety Motor Vehicles Medical Reporting Form