DMV News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
DMV to Join Virginia's Amber Alert Partnership
Urgent Messages Displayed on Monitors in Customer Service Centers
RICHMOND - The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) joined the partnership between Virginia State Police (VSP), local law enforcement agencies, broadcasters and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to activate urgent bulletins in the most serious child abduction cases. The Amber Alert system instantly notifies the public through various means to assist in the search and safe return of a child and apprehension of the suspect.
When law enforcement issues an Amber Alert in Virginia, broadcasters interrupt their schedules to air an announcement and 14 permanent VDOT signs along area roads alert motorists with a message describing the vehicle that the suspect is believed to be driving. Now, the urgent message will also scroll across queuing monitors that display customers' ticket numbers in DMV's 74 customer service centers.
DMV also participates in the Virginia Senior Alert program which is similar to the Amber Alert but is issued to help law enforcement agencies locate missing senior adults. DMV activated the alert today following notification of a missing Maryland woman.
"With offices in all corners of the state, about 19,000 customers visit DMV customer service centers each day," said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb. "Our goal is to inform our audience of Amber Alerts or Senior Alerts while they are at DMV. Every extra set of eyes that can assist law enforcement increases the chance of the child's or senior citizen's safe return."
