Montgomery, AL – In recognition of National Missing Persons Day on Feb. 3, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is emphasizing the importance of swift coordination and public awareness when individuals go missing, while also highlighting the role of the Alabama Fusion Center (AFC) in supporting missing person cases across the state.
According to ALEA officials, the Alabama Fusion Center serves as a central hub for information sharing, coordination and analytical support in missing person investigations. The agency used the national observance to educate residents about the different types of alerts issued in Alabama and the steps citizens can take to stay informed and assist in recovery efforts.
“The Fusion Center serves as a vital hub for information sharing, coordination and analytical support when someone goes missing,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “Every alert we issue, every flyer we create, and every case we support represents a person who matters to a family and a community. Our mission is simple, to use every resource available to help bring them home safely.”
Four Types of Missing Person Alerts
The State of Alabama utilizes four types of Missing Person Alerts, each with specific criteria and activation requirements. Only law enforcement agencies can request activation of these alerts, and officials stress that there is no waiting period required to report a missing person.
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AMBER Alert: Issued when a child under 18 has been abducted and is believed to be in immediate danger of serious bodily harm or death. These alerts follow U.S. Department of Justice guidelines and are used sparingly due to strict criteria.
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Emergency Missing Child Alert (EMCA): Activated when a child under 18 is missing and believed to be in danger, but law enforcement does not believe an abduction has occurred.
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Missing and Endangered Person Alert (MEPA): Used for missing individuals with mental or physical disabilities, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or autism, or for individuals believed to be in danger due to abduction.
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Blue Alert: Issued when a law enforcement officer is missing, injured or killed in the line of duty and a suspect is believed to pose a serious threat to the public.
Alerts are published on ALEA’s website and distributed through the CodeRED community notification system, which residents can opt into. AMBER and Blue Alerts are also sent automatically to mobile devices through Wireless Emergency Alerts and broadcast via radio and television through the Emergency Alert System.
Even when a case does not meet alert criteria, the Fusion Center continues to support local law enforcement by providing analytical assistance and promoting awareness through its Community Information Center.
“There is a common misconception that if an AMBER Alert is not issued, a missing child is not being actively searched for,” said Jay Moseley, director of the Alabama Fusion Center. “An AMBER Alert is just one of many tools available. Behind every case, whether it is a missing child or adult, is a dedicated team at the Fusion Center working around the clock.”
Alerts by the Numbers
In 2025, the Alabama Fusion Center issued 90 missing person alerts and posted an additional 111 cases statewide for community awareness. The alerts included:
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1 AMBER Alert
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1 Blue Alert
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67 Missing and Endangered Person Alerts
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21 Emergency Missing Child Alerts
Officials note that these figures reflect only cases where local law enforcement requested ALEA’s assistance and underscore the rarity of AMBER Alerts.
Nationwide, as of December 2025, 1,292 children have been safely recovered as a direct result of AMBER Alerts, including at least 241 recoveries linked to Wireless Emergency Alerts, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In 2024, more than 349,000 reports of missing youth were entered into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center database.
Public Action Steps
ALEA encourages residents to take several steps to stay informed and assist in missing person cases:
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Sign up for community notifications: Residents can enroll online or text ALALERTS to 24639 to receive alerts directly.
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Report missing persons immediately: There is no waiting period to report a missing child or adult. Officials advise contacting local law enforcement right away and providing key identifying details and a recent photograph.
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Know available resources: ALEA supports programs such as Project Lifesaver, which helps locate individuals prone to wandering due to medical conditions. The agency’s Aviation Unit can assist in searches using specialized radio technology.
Officials say understanding the alert system and acting quickly can play a critical role in bringing missing individuals home safely.
