Arizona’s Silver Alert system is being replaced by SAFE Alerts

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Public Safety is replacing the state’s Silver Alert system on Friday with a new program called SAFE Alerts.

The new program is designed to expand the criteria of an alert and to help find missing persons safely, according to a Thursday news release.

Similar to Silver Alerts, the SAFE Alert system will use multiple communication channels to help find missing persons.

The system will use media and public safety public channels to release information when a person goes missing under certain circumstances.

When will SAFE Alerts be issued?

SAFE Alerts will be issued after five criteria have been confirmed by law enforcement agency, according to DPS:

• One of the following: The subject is 65 or older, suffers from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, has been diagnosed with a developmental disability or has been diagnosed with a cognitive disability.
• The investigating agency has exhausted all local resources.
• The subject went missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances.
• The person could be in danger due to age, health, disability, environmental conditions or other factors.
• There is reason to believe widespread distribution of information about the case could assist in a safe recovery.

Earlier this year, DPS launched the Turquoise Alert system for missing persons younger than 65 who don’t meet the dementia or disability requirements for a SAFE Alert.

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