• Types of Alerts
  • AMBER Alert
  • Missing Child Alert
  • Spectrum Alert
  • Purple Alert
  • Silver Alert
    • Silver Alert Criteria
    • Silver Alert FAQ

Silver Alert Criteria

The Florida Silver Alert used to locate missing persons suffering from an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties. Law enforcement agencies must activate a Local Silver Alert as described below in an effort to locate the person prior to the issuance of a State Silver Alert.

Local Silver Alert

Local Silver Alert Criteria:

• The missing person must be 60 years or older OR the missing person must be 18-59 years of age 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 missing person must have an irreversible deterioration of mental faculties (e.g., Alzheimer's disease or dementia) that has been verified by law enforcement.

Local Silver Alert Activation Recommendations:

According to the Florida Silver Alert Plan, activation of a Local Silver Alert consists of the following steps, although each agency may have their own policy or requirements for activation of a Local Silver Alert.

1. Local law enforcement must conduct a preliminary investigation, in which the agency has concluded that the disappearance poses a credible threat to the missing 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 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 following the instructions below.

State Silver Alert

State Silver Alert Criteria:

• In addition to the Local Silver Alert criteria above, the missing person must be traveling by motor vehicle with an identified license plate number or other vehicle information.
• Law enforcement must have activated a Local Silver Alert by, at a minimum, completing the steps outlined above. 

State Silver Alert Activation Steps:

• The local law enforcement agency will activate a Local Silver Alert.
• The local law enforcement agency will call the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC) at 1-888-356-4774.
• 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.
• FDLE will ensure that the information is broadcast via dynamic highway message signs when applicable and via email/text through sign-up by public citizens and other resources.

Note: Only law enforcement agencies can request activation of a 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).

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