Critically Missing Adult Alert Program Information

This program is available for use by all Virginia law enforcement agencies.

Criteria for the Activation of the Critically Missing Adult Alert Plan

1. Any person 18 years of age or older, including persons with a developmental disability, intellectual disability, or mental illness, and;
   1. Whose whereabouts are unknown (disappearance or abduction) and;
   2. Whose disappearance or abduction poses a credible threat, as determined by law enforcement, to the safety and health of the missing person, or;
   3. Based on any other circumstances as deemed appropriate by the Virginia   State Police.

If all of the aforementioned criteria are not met, the Virginia “Critically Missing Adult Alert” Plan will not be activated. However, information about the missing adult can still be provided to the media.

Plan Components

Emergency Alert System (EAS)

EAS is the national civil emergency alert system designed to inform the public of immediate threats to national security, life, and property. It is one component of FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). Employing warning tones, EAS broadcasts messages to the public over radio and television. It utilizes the public radio/television and broadcast system to share information between public safety agencies and the media, who, in turn, transmit emergency information to the public. The Department of State Police uses the Everbridge Public Warning platform to communicate Alert information notifications through EAS.

Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN)

VCIN is a telecommunication system which provides a means of rapid communications for criminal justice agencies throughout Virginia.

Secondary Components of the Virginia Alert System

A Child Is Missing Program (ACIM)

The ACIM program is a non-profit organization that enables law enforcement agencies to create a recorded audio message and distribute it by telephone. This free service can be used by any law enforcement agency with an executed agreement. When appropriate during an alert, the VMPC can contact the organization, identifying affected areas by five zip codes. ACIM will automatically call 1000 telephones numbers in sixty seconds and announce the pre-recorded message regarding the missing senior adult.

Public Utilities’ Communication Systems

The major public utilities within the Commonwealth have communication systems capable of notifying their field employees when an alert is activated. These utilities include electric companies, gas companies, cable companies, etc.

Virginia Missing Person Information Clearinghouse (VMPC)

The VMPC, operated by the Department of State Police, is responsible for the Virginia “Critically Missing Adult Alert” Plan and serves as the central repository for information about missing adults in Virginia.