Code Amber Year End Report 2004

Code Amber, The Web's Amber Alert System Year End Report - 2004

Triumphs, Tragedies and Powerful Partnerships Mark an Eventful Year for Code Amber
Mandeville, LA - In a year that began with the horrible, senseless murder of Carlie Brucia in February, in Sarasota, Florida, Code Amber has seen the extremes of emotion across the country. Letters to Carlie's father, Joe Brucia have poured in to www.carlieslaw.org offering words of condolence, anger, determination and strength. Messages from around the world have been recorded pledging help to change the laws that were so inadequate in protecting Carlie's young life.

Bryant Harper, president and founder of Code Amber recalls the event as life changing. "The image of Carlie being led away by her accused murderer is as clear in my mind today as it was the first time I saw it. " And he was not alone. Phone calls from citizens and media flooded the lines at Code Amber for days until Carlie's body was found five days later.

Code Amber's Director of Communications, Linda Spagnoli, fielded calls from media outlets as far away as Australia, trying to offer explanations about the use of Amber Alerts. "We experience tragedies which can't be helped by an Amber Alert. We all know that when the intent of an abductor is to kill a child, that is usually accomplished in the first three hours after the abduction occurs. The fact is, in Carlie's case (where the Amber Alert was subsequently issued after the chilling video was discovered) and the very recent year end tragedy of Christina Tedder in Indiana (where no Amber Alert was issued because criteria were not met) the children were likely dead by the time they were discovered missing."

Harper has long contended that Amber Alerts can only be effective if the public views them as a life threatening emergency, and where there is sufficient information to allow the public to be helpful. "When criteria is met, and we are looking for a specific vehicle the recovery rate is over 99%." Code Amber published 147 Amber Alerts on its vast network in 2004 and there have been over 600,000,000 Code Amber Tickers displayed to date.

Code Amber's legendary "Amber Alert" ticker is displayed over one million times each day, with over 200,000 participating web sites and desktops around the world. During verified active Amber Alerts, media links drive the public to the Code Amber site to get updated information as it occurs.

The triumph is the amazing success of a system that can mobilize public attention so swiftly. The tragedy is that with over 2000 children reported missing each day in the United States, there is no way the Amber Alert can be used for every one of them.

"Law enforcement on the scene is charged with the agonizing task of determining whether or not to activate an Amber Alert." Harper says, "We never second guess law enforcement. Code Amber stands by, ready to assist in the distribution of the Amber Alert to the public via our Code Amber Ticker and thousands of media outlets around the country which receive our XML and RSS transmissions."

Indeed, Code Amber's partnership with all the major media outlets is the link that moves information at a time when the smooth, seamless, accurate delivery of text and pictures is crucial to the success of an Amber Alert.

In March, 2004, Code Amber and Safety Net Kids embarked on a national program of distributing the "No Easy Targets" video to law enforcement agencies across the country. The program teaches children how to respond in situations that could result in harm to them. The program was made possible by Rent-A-Center and the Eaton Corporation of Sarasota, FL who donated funds collected by their employees and customers in the aftermath of Carlie Brucia's murder. The video is distributed at no charge to any law enforcement agency that requests it. The video is also available to the public at a nominal charge through Code Amber.

In July, 2004, Code Amber entered into a partnership with PR Newswire, allowing Amber Alert broadcasts over their wire, which reach every newsroom in the country and most of the world. "Within minutes, we can target an Amber Alert to reach media news desks in a specific city, state, region, or nationwide if necessary." Spagnoli says. "Because of the tremendous impact of the PR Newswire broadcast, we make sure the Amber Alert issuing agency determines the reach."

Earlier in the year, Code Amber partnered with Incident Page Network (IPN) which is a nationwide network of police and fire dispatchers. "They are the eyes and ears of news media across the country," Harper says. "Their broad coverage allows us to know when a missing child event is occurring so we can be in communication with law enforcement immediately."

Another very significant expansion of the Code Amber XML feed was accomplished by another media partnership. In June, 2004, Newsroom Solutions' Newsticker began receiving the XML feed, including pictures, for distribution to on-air broadcasts, starting in two markets, WCBS in New York, and WPTV, the NBC affiliate in West Palm Beach, FL.

Code Amber has finished testing a nationwide program with Viacom and Westwood One's Metro Networks. The partnership will allow an instant exchange of information by Metro Networks receiving the XML feed directly into their operations center, and Code Amber being able to monitor input from their news bureaus around the country. This brings a nationwide network of radio broadcasters, many of them EAS first responders, into the Code Amber system.

In addition to the technical developments in 2004, Code Amber has been involved at the national level in changing the laws surrounding probation and parole violators.

"One of the most inspirational people I've ever known is Carlie Brucia's dad, Joe." Harper says. "To be able to transform his personal tragedy into a nationwide movement to change these laws is nothing short of miraculous."

Spagnoli says, " Being with Mr. Brucia and Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Sarasota,FL) on Capitol Hill when she introduced "Carlie's Law" in March, 2004, was a mix of emotions. We had succeeded in swiftly bringing recognition of inadequate probation and parole laws to the public, garnered the public's support, and began the road to victory for angry, frustrated parents who will no longer tolerate dangerous repeat offenders being on the street. On the other hand, the tears in the room reminded us that we had lost another child in the process."

The new year begins with the official announcement of our partnership with Metro Networks, ( press release) and a continuation of Code Amber's participation in the "Carlie's Law" proceedings. The goal is to make the Amber Alert system better, faster, cleaner, more accurate, less cumbersome, and a working model which can be used around the world to protect children.

We are also proud to announce our partnership with Smart-Traveler Solutions, Inc. and the integration of Code Amber Amber Alerts with their unified messaging system.

The Smart-Traveler technology allows for the delivery of a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to any electronic device you prefer. Messages can be sent to your E-mail address, IP Phone (audio), Home Phone (audio), Work Phone (audio), FAX, Text Enabled Cell Phone or any web enabled hand held device, and soon --- direct to your vehicle when equipped with enabled Telematics.

All Smart-Traveler messages are location specific to the affected area. In addition to Amber Alerts from Code Amber, Smart-Traveler will provide notifications of local NOAA severe weather alerts, school closings, local traffic notices and other safety information specific to your location or address area.

Smart-Traveler, located in Coral Springs, Florida, has been developing and acquiring the technology and infrastructure to provide time critical Public Service Announcements over the past two years. After successful beta testing of Code Amber Amber Alerts to millions of recipients during the last quarter of 2004, the Smart-Traveler unified messaging system in now being rolled out across the US and Canada. Full implementation across all platforms will be completed by year's end.

So, as we close the book on 2004, we don't forget the children who won't see 2005. We work to insure their short lives brought purpose and meaning and change.

Of course, our costs will increase with the growth which makes your continued support all the more important. We provide a variety of ways for you to help support the Code Amber project. We receive no government funding or grants. We accept contributions and sponsorships to offset the cost of the Ticker and to provide communications between law enforcement and broadcast media. The Code Amber project is a success as a result of the support of the Web community. For complete information please click here.

In closing, I hope that all of you have a happy, healthy, safe and prosperous 2005!

Thank you for your time and continued support.

Sincerely,
Bryant Harper
Founder
CodeAmber.org

About Code Amber: Code Amber, LLC, is the largest provider of Amber Alert broadcasting on the Internet. Founded in 2002, Code Amber now reaches over 200,000 websites and computer desktops displaying up to 1,200,000 online tickers daily. Code Amber delivers XML feed to major media, government and wireless telephone services. Based in Mandeville, LA, Code Amber now reaches all 50 states and all Canadian provinces. Code Amber works directly with law enforcement and media, delivering descriptions and photographs to news desks within minutes after an Amber Alert is issued. (http://www.codeamber.org/)

Please help by adding the Code Amber Ticker to your site today. We never know when or where the next Amber Alert will be issued.

CodeAmber.org went live on August 23rd, 2002. Since that time we have grown rapidly as you can see by the statistics in the top right hand column. The number of sites is a real time counter but we update the number of tickers served on the first of each month.

To help defray the server and administrative expense associated with providing the CodeAmber ticker we are accepting donations through PayPal. Every little bit helps and donations of $25 or more will be recognized with an entry on our "Friends" page along with a link to your site if you like.

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