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Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

When did Florida’s Silver Alert Program begin?
What is the reason for implementing the Silver Alert Plan?
What are the criteria?
How does the Silver Alert get activated?
How long does a Silver Alert stay activated?
What is the role of the public during a Silver Alert?
What is the role of the media?
How can I sign up to receive Silver Alerts?
What area(s) does the Silver Alert cover?
Does a physician first have to verify or attest that the person has a cognitive impairment?
What are the “extraordinary circumstances” for persons under the age of 60?
Is a person with a mental illness, intellectual handicap or learning disability eligible for a Silver Alert?
How can I file a missing person report?
Do you use the Emergency Alert System (EAS) as you do with AMBER Alerts?
How many seniors in Florida are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s?






When did Florida’s Silver Alert Program begin?
Florida’s Silver Alert Plan wasestablished through an Executive Order signed by Governor Charlie Crist on October 8, 2008. The Silver Alert was codified into statute by the Florida Legislature in 2011.
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What is the reason for implementing the Silver Alert Plan?
Florida’s elderly population is growing and our state is committed to putting in place tools and technologies to ensure their safety and protection. The Silver Alert is a standardized and coordinated law enforcement and state agency response to share information with the public to improve the chances of a safe recovery.
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What are the criteria?
Please visit the Silver Alert activation pagefor information on the criteria for a Local or State Silver Alert.
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How does the Silver Alert get activated?
If you have a loved one missing you should contact your local law enforcement agency immediately. A law enforcement agency will take a report and may issueand determine if aSilver Alertis appropriate.If the agency determines that the case meets the criteria for a State Silver Alert, they will contact the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse. Only law enforcement can request a State Silver Alert.
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How long does a Silver Alert stay activated?
The local Law Enforcement Agency will determine the status of the Alert, but generally, the Alert stays active until the missing person is recovered. If a State Silver Alert is activated, the Department of Transportation (DOT) road signs will remain activated for a maximum of six (6) hours.
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What is the role of the public during a Silver Alert?
The public can play an important role in the rescue of missing elderly persons with a cognitive impairment. When they hear about a Silver Alert in their area, they should actively make note of the description of the person and any additional information provided. If the public encounters or believes they see the vehicle or the missing person they should immediately call 911 or *FHP (347) to respond. They should make note of the person’s whereabouts, and if applicable, the vehicle tag, direction of travel and location observation (highway/street, city and county). The public can also assist by being aware of those around them and recognizing when a senior is in need of assistance. If they come into contact with a senior who appears lost or disoriented, and they have reason to believe that will not be able to find their way home, they may be able to help prevent a Silver Alert by contacting law enforcement or, in the case of a family member, friend or neighbor, aiding the person in finding their way home.
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What is the role of the media?
Media outlets have the option on whether or not to broadcast Silver Alert information. Large audiences can be reached through the media, thereby enhancing everyone’s efforts in safely recovering a cognitively impaired missing person.
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How can I sign up to receive Silver Alerts? You can sign-up to receive State Silver Alerts by subscribing for email or text alerts.
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What area(s) does the Silver Alert cover?
The radius of a Local Silver Alert is determined by thelocal law enforcement agency who issued the alert. If a State Silver Alert is issued, then information regarding the case is distributed throughout the state with a focus on the area where the person was last seen.
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Does a physician have to verify or attest that the person has an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties?
How the local law enforcement agency verifies that the person sufferes from an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculites (e.g. Alzheimer's or dementia) is up to that agency's policies. Families or caregivers of a missing person should inform law enforcement ifthere isreason to believe that the personsufferers from dementia
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What are the “extraordinary circumstances” for persons under the age of 60?
Law enforcement has various search and tracking tools to find missing persons. To maintain integrity of the system and not dilute its effectiveness, the road signs are used primarily for persons with irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties 60 years and older. However, road signs may be used in rare instances when that is the only viable method to locate a missing person under the age of 60 who otherwise meets criteria.
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Is a person with a mental illness, intellectual handicap or learning disability eligible for a Silver Alert?
A person with a mental illness, intellectual handicap or learning disability is only eligible for a Silver Alert if they also suffer from an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties (i.e. Alzheimer’s or dementia).
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How can I file a missing person report?
Contact the local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction where the missing person was last seen.
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Do you use the Emergency Alert System (EAS) as you do with AMBER Alerts?
No, the EAS is restricted to child abductions, and is not used for any other cases involving missing persons. However, just like with Missing Child Alerts, television and radio stations will be notified and the information can be broadcasted to the viewing or listening public.
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How many seniors in Florida are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s?
The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that there are 450,000 people in Florida with Alzheimer’s.
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For more information please visit the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse website or contact us by phone at 1-888-356-4774.

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