New AMBER alert system startles sleepers with new phones

Source: Star-News, Wilmington, N.迷你倉價錢C.Aug. 30--Just before 1 a.m. Friday morning, residents all over North Carolina were jolted awake by a loud noise from their phones."High Point, NC AMBER Alert: LIC/BJX1565 (NC) 2003 White Chevrolet Suburban," the message read.The alert had been issued for a 17-month-old girl in High Point who was sleeping in her godfather's 2003 white Chevrolet Suburban that was reported stolen from a grocery store parking lot.The girl was found at about 9:30 a.m. Friday morning -- around the time most recipients of the alert were discussing the incident with coworkers and wondering how they had become a subscriber to the service.The AMBER Alert messaging system is a federally mandated program. The Federal Emergency Management Agency used to ask people to subscribe to their Wireless AMBER Alerts program, but in December 2012 FEMA implemented the Wireless Emergency Alerts, also known as WEA, system.According to the N.C. Department of Public Safety, Wireless Emergency Alerts are considered a "point-to-multipoint system," which means alert messages will be sent to those within a targeted area. It is based on cell towers, instead of the phone's registered ZIP code that previous systems relied on.Residents do not sign up specifically to these alerts -- they come through automatically with most newer phones.These alerts are not text messages; instead, the messages are delivered through a separate alert program to ensure they are delivered immediately and are not subjected to potentia迷你倉 delays on wireless networks. They are free of cost for users, according to DPS.Friday's alert was the first statewide alert in North Carolina since the program moved to WEA and the first one ever to be used in the Wilmington area, according to First Sgt. Jeff Gordon, a public information officer for DPS that makes the final call on Amber Alerts in the state."Last night's AMBER Alert was issued statewide due to the uncertainty of where the abductor was traveling," Gordon said. "In this case, a vehicle was stolen with a child inside and the direction of travel was unknown."Wireless Emergency Alerts have been widely criticized across the country for their cryptic nature and for the loud noise that comes with them even if the phone is on silent."I understand people's concern, but what if the shoe was on the other foot?" Gordon said. "You would want as many people as possible looking for your child. The goal is to get more eyes, more ears looking for the abductor."FEMA does allow people to opt out of Amber Alerts and other emergency, such as serious weather conditions. However, Congress mandates that alerts issued by the president cannot be turned off.Turning off alerts varies by phone type and wireless company, so residents can check with their carrier for more specific instructions.Ashley Withers: 343-2223On Twitter: @AshleyWithersCopyright: ___ (c)2013 the Star-News (Wilmington, N.C.) Visit the Star-News (Wilmington, N.C.) at .starnewsonline.com Distributed by MCT Information Services儲存