The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is officially launching a targeted emergency broadcast system called the Florida Spectrum Alert. Created by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, the new alert is designed to quickly rally public assistance to safely recover missing children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
State officials emphasize that specialized tools are critical when dealing with vulnerable populations.
“When our FDLE inspectors, agents and analysts work with law enforcement on missing persons cases, we know that time is of the essence,” FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said. “The Spectrum Alert is another resource for the community that helps agencies get information to the public faster and bring Florida’s most innocent and vulnerable home safely. FDLE remains steadfast in our mission in protecting Florida’s children.”
The new protocol largely mirrors Florida’s existing Missing Child Alert system, but it adds a specific requirement: investigators must reasonably believe the missing child has ASD. The state has established two tiers for the system: a standard Spectrum Alert and an Enhanced Spectrum Alert.
To trigger a standard Spectrum Alert, local law enforcement must confirm five specific conditions. The missing individual must be under 18 years old, and authorities must reasonably believe the child has ASD. Additionally, an active investigation must show a well-founded belief that the child faces a danger of death or serious bodily injury. Finally, the agency must have a detailed description or photograph ready for public broadcast, and the local agency must formally recommend activating the alert.
The requirements for an Enhanced Spectrum Alert are nearly identical, with one key distinction regarding the level of urgency. For the enhanced version, the active police investigation must show that the child is in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury, rather than a general danger.
Once an agency activates either tier, Florida’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse distributes the data. The alert details will automatically go out to citizens who have registered for notifications, and information will appear on dynamic highway message signs when relevant.
The department will also publish the alerts on its official website and social media channels. State officials note that citizens play a vital role in these recovery efforts, advising anyone who receives an alert to note the details and call 911 immediately if they have information on the child’s whereabouts.
READ: Have You Seen Brianna? Florida Missing Child Alert Issued For Jacksonville Teen
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