By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Upgrades will be made to Missouri's Amber Alert system, while a similar system will be used for missing adults.
Governor Blunt has signed a bill into law that specifies Amber Alerts can only be issued for children age 17 and under, bringing Missouri into compliance with federal guidelines. The governor says it will make it easier for authorities to pursue a lead in a neighboring state.
Also, similar alert system will be used for those 18 and older. "But we do use the same technology and the same network and the same partnerships to essentially issue a missing person alert," Blunt added.
The new alert system has been in operation since January as a temporary program, but will now become permanent. A spokesperson for the governor's office says it won't cost the state any extra money, since it uses the same technology as the Amber Alert system.
Under the old law, if an 18-year-old Missourian was abducted and taken to Arkansas; authorities there would not issue an Amber Alert because the victim is considered an adult, not a child.