Home Back to News Headlines EVES GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES AMBER ALERT PROGRAM For Immediate Release - January 15, 2003 2003-01-20 TORONTO — The Ernie Eves government and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) today introduced AMBER Alert, a public safety program to help police locate abducted children by broadcasting descriptions of victims and suspects on a variety of public channels, including COMPASS — the Ministry of Transportation's (MTO) network of electronic highway message signs. Bob Runciman, Minister of Public Safety and Security, Transportation Minister Norm Sterling, OPP Superintendent Robert Goodall and Holly Benson, Executive Director of Child Find Ontario, jointly presented a simulated AMBER Alert message on a miniature COMPASS sign at MTO's Traffic Operations in Downsview. "Ontario is serious about the safety of our children," Runciman said. "They need to be protected, however possible. This initiative will enable police services to more efficiently locate children who are victims of abduction." AMBER Alert will use COMPASS signs, radio, television and cable TV to immediately broadcast descriptions of kidnap victims, their abductors and suspect vehicles to the public where police believe that the child is in danger. "Not only does COMPASS help ease congestion and improve road safety — it's now a valuable instrument to help protect vulnerable victims of crime," Transportation Minister Norm Sterling said. "As an advanced communication network, COMPASS signs are an effective tool to broadcast time-critical information on abduction cases directly to those most likely to provide leads." "The OPP is pleased to work with many partners in this valuable community safety initiative," Commissioner Gwen Boniface said. "As time is critical in any child abduction, the AMBER Alert system provides for a quick and timely broadcast of information to the public. With the assistance of the eyes and ears of our communities, abducted children have a greater chance of being located and returned safely to their loved ones." "Whenever a child is reported missing, our entire community is alarmed, and locating that child becomes our number one priority," Toronto Police Service Staff Superintendent Gary Grant, chair of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Committee, said. "The AMBER Alert program enables vital information to be provided to the public, which dramatically increases the potential for quickly locating the missing child." -more- "The safety of children is paramount to every citizen of Ontario, and Child Find is proud that this proven public awareness system is being adopted in Ontario and that we are all working together to protect out children," Holly Benson, executive director, Child Find Ontario, said. "A fast response is the surest way to get a missing child home safely. AMBER Alert makes every citizen a part of that process." COMPASS signs normally advise of upcoming traffic conditions to allow motorists to alter their course and take a safer, more efficient route. Signs are located in the GTA along the 401 and the Queen Elizabeth Way between Toronto and Hamilton, and from St. Catharines to Niagara Falls. The original AMBER Alert program was established in Arlington, Texas, in 1996 as a result of the kidnapping and murder of nine-year-old Amber Hagerman. It is estimated that 91 per cent of children kidnapped and murdered by sexual predators in Ontario were killed within 24 hours of abduction. To date, AMBER Alert is credited with recovering 27 missing children in the U.S. "By using the COMPASS signs, we will be able to get the message to the driving public quickly and efficiently," Runciman said. "This is another important tool the government is giving police services to help them protect all residents of Ontario." -30- Contacts: Bruce O'Neill Ministry of Public Safety and Security (416) 326-5005 Bob Nichols Ministry of Transportation (416) 327-1158 Superintendent Rick Kotwa OPP Corporate Communications (705) 329-6863   James Wallace Minister Runciman's Office (416) 325-5982 Bill Parish Minister Sterling's Office (416) 327-1824 Inspector Jim Dixon OPP Traffic and Marine Section (705) 329-7404 CENTER>For more information visit www.mpss.jus.gov.on.ca