Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Mark Glass, Commissioner
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Mark Glass, Commissioner
Florida’s Silver Alert Plan was established 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.
[back to top]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.
[back to top]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 issue and determine if a Silver Alert is 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.
[back to top]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.
[back to top]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.
[back to top]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.
[back to top]How the local law enforcement agency verifies that the person suffers from an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties (e.g. Alzheimer's or dementia) is up to that agency's policies. Families or caregivers of a missing person should inform law enforcement if there is reason to believe that the person suffers from dementia.
[back to top]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.
[back to top]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).
[back to top]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.
[back to top]The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that there are 450,000 people in Florida with Alzheimer’s.
[back to top]FDLE is composed of five areas: Executive Direction and Business Support, Criminal Investigations and Forensic Science, Criminal Justice Information, Criminal Justice Professionalism and Florida Capitol Police. FDLE’s duties, responsibilities and procedures are mandated through Chapter 943, FS, and Chapter 11, FAC. To learn more about these areas, read our Statement of Agency Organization and Operation or visit our Open Government page.
