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2025 AMBER Alert System Oversight Committee

Annual Report

Letter from the Director

Mike Kehoe, Governor
Mark S. James, Director

State of Missouri — Department of Public Safety, Office of the Director
Lewis & Clark State Office Bldg. • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 749 • Jefferson City, MO 65101-0749
Telephone: (573) 751-4905 • Fax: (573) 751-5399

Members of the Missouri General Assembly:

On behalf of the AMBER Alert System Oversight Committee, I present the committee's 2025 annual report.

From December 1, 2024, through November 30, 2025, Missouri issued a total of eight AMBER Alerts for 11 children (all 11 children were located safe).

Within this summary you will find the following:

  • The updated list of AMBER Alert System Oversight Committee members;
  • Information about training conducted statewide related to the AMBER Alert System;
  • Relevant statistics for the period of December 1, 2024, through November 30, 2025;
  • June 18, 2025, State Emergency Communications Committee meeting minutes; and
  • December 8, 2025, AMBER Alert System Oversight Committee meeting minutes.

In 2025, Missouri AMBER Alerts once again proved their effectiveness, as members of the public who received four separate alerts acted and assisted in the recovery of the missing children. In all, from December 1, 2024, through November 30, 2025, Missouri issued a total of eight AMBER Alerts for 11 children and all 11 were located safe—three children were located in Missouri, and eight children were located in other states (In 2024, nine children were recovered as a direct result of AMBER Alerts).

When Missouri launched its AMBER Alert system in 2003, text alerts did not exist. Today, they are highly effective in assisting in the recovery of missing children and are narrowly targeted geographically to prevent alerting fatigue. The Missouri State Highway Patrol will continue to use new technology to advance the alerting system, and we will continue to work with Missouri's broadcasters and others to strengthen Missouri's AMBER Alert program.

Sincerely,

Mark S. James
Director, Department of Public Safety
Chair, AMBER Alert System Oversight Committee

Missouri AMBER Alert Mission Statement

The mission of the AMBER Alert Program is to develop and coordinate the efforts of law enforcement, the media, and transportation in order to increase public participation in safely recovering abducted children through targeted education, increased communication, and effective sharing of resources.

AMBER Alert History

The national AMBER Alert Plan was created in 1996 after nine-year-old Amber Hagerman was kidnapped and murdered while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas. Missouri's AMBER Alert plan was formed in 2003, following the Missouri General Assembly's passage of Senate Bill 30.

AMBER Alert Criteria

The AMBER Alert activation criteria are as follows:

  • Law enforcement officials have reasonable belief that an abduction has occurred, which meets the definition in Section 565.110 or 565.115 RSMo.
  • Law enforcement officials believe there is a credible threat of serious bodily injury or death to the victim.
  • Enough descriptive information exists about the victim and the abductor for law enforcement to issue an AMBER Alert.
  • The victim of the abduction is a child 17 years of age or younger.
  • The child's name and other critical data elements—including the child abduction (CA) flag—have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system.

Note: Parental disputes do not apply unless a possibility of harm to the child has been determined.

Title 11—Department of Public Safety, Division 30—Office of the Director, Chapter 10—Amber Alert

11 CSR 30-10.010 & 11 CSR 30-10.020
Amendment filed Aug. 20, 2020, effective March 30, 2021.

PURPOSE: This rule establishes guidelines for determining when an AMBER Alert should be activated and the procedure for activating the alert.

  1. In the event of a missing child, the reporting agency shall first determine the following criteria are met:
    1. The missing child qualifies as an "abducted child," defined as a child age seventeen (17) or under whose whereabouts is unknown and who has been determined by local law enforcement to be—
      1. The victim of kidnapping as defined by section 565.110, RSMo; or
      2. The victim of a crime of child kidnapping as defined by section 565.115, RSMo, the statutory age limit notwithstanding;
    2. The child is in the custody of someone other than a parent, guardian, or other official custodial entity, or sufficient evidence exists to indicate harm may come to a child from a parent, guardian, or other official custodial entity; and
    3. Sufficient descriptive information exists to enhance the possibility of recovery, such as—
      1. The time and location of the incident;
      2. A physical description of the abducted child or his or her clothing, if known;
      3. A physical description and identity, if known, of the abductor and whether or not the abductor is armed; and
      4. A vehicle description and direction of travel.
  2. The reporting agency shall take a complete report and validate the information.
  3. The reporting agency shall—
    1. Complete and submit a Missouri AMBER Alert Abduction Form through the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES). A request can also be made by completing a Missouri AMBER Alert Abduction Form on the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) website. The form should then be emailed or faxed to the MSHP communications division; and
    2. Enter the incident into MULES and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.
  4. Upon receipt of the AMBER Alert Abduction Form, MSHP Communications Division personnel shall contact the reporting agency to confirm the validity of the alert.
  5. After receiving confirmation, MSHP Communications Division shall then disseminate the alert.

AUTHORITY: Section 210.1014, RSMo Supp. 2020.

Section 210.1014 RSMo states, "There is hereby created the 'AMBER Alert System Oversight Committee' whose primary duty shall be to develop criteria and procedures for the AMBER Alert system and shall be housed within the Department of Public Safety." In 2019, HB 397, known as "Hailey's Law," was signed into law. Hailey's Law requires the AMBER Alert System Oversight Committee to meet at least annually and provide an annual report.

AMBER Alert System Oversight Committee Members

Chair
Director Mark S. James, Missouri Department of Public Safety
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Captain Scott B. White
Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Deputy Communications Director Sami Jo Freeman
Missouri Sheriffs' Association
Pike County Sheriff Stephen Korte
Television Broadcasters' Representative
News Director Bridget Lovelle, KY3 and KSPR
Large Market Radio Broadcasters
Program Director Todd Nixon, KBEQ-FM
Small Market Radio Broadcasters
Owner/Managing Partner Chelley Odle, B104.3

Technical Update

In 2025, the Missouri State Highway Patrol implemented the following enhancements to the Missouri AMBER Alert System:

  • The continued roll out of the MoAlerts interface with law enforcement License Plate Recognition (LPR) systems. This interface allows LPR systems to receive AMBER Alert information, including license plate and vehicle description, the moment a full alert is issued. Four of the largest LPR vendors doing business in Missouri are now participating in this program.
  • Required updates to the interface with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to ensure that MoAlerts remains compatible and compliant with the specifications to send alerts to cellular providers and television/radio stations.
  • Minor miscellaneous enhancements requested by Troop F to enhance the usability of the MoAlerts application and streamline the ability to activate an alert.
  • The upgrade of the server infrastructure that hosts the MoAlerts application to the latest version available, thereby ensuring compliance with security and functionality related patches.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol continues working to:

  • Implement a more efficient, streamlined method for sharing information with electronic billboards and road signs.
  • Interface MoAlerts with the Patrol's Automated Field Reporting (AFR) system to automatically and instantly push AMBER Alerts to all on-duty troopers directly via their mobile computing device (MCD).

Key Messages for Those Seeking Full AMBER Alert Information

There are several other locations for individuals to get additional information:

  1. Traditional broadcast media (as well as their websites and print media websites);
  2. Missouri State Highway Patrol Facebook page: facebook.com/motrooper
  3. Missouri State Highway Patrol Alerts Page: moalerts.mo.gov (This page allows anyone to subscribe to receive AMBER Alerts through email)
  4. Missouri State Highway Patrol Alerts X Page: x.com/mshpalerts

Training

The Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services Division trainers include training on the processes and functions of AMBER and BLUE alerts as well as Endangered Silver and Endangered Person Advisories within the certification and recertification classes for users of the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES). MULES classes for the period of December 1, 2024 through November 30, 2025, provided this training for 4,572 attendees.

MULES Certification Classes

One block of training provides an explanation of the issuance criteria for Missouri alerts and advisories and the process for their issuance, as well as the importance of entering missing person and other potential related information into MULES and NCIC.

Recertification Classes & Terminal Agency Coordinators' Meetings

This training reviews the issuance criteria and process for all alerts and advisories, technological advances, and covers any information related to new laws that pertain to the Missouri alert system. During the period of December 1, 2024, through November 30, 2025, this training was provided to:

  1. Statewide MULES users — 1,148 attendees
  2. Terminal Agency Coordinators' Meeting — 862 attendees

Missouri AMBER Alert Training Plan

Training will help ensure the preparedness of all personnel who potentially have a role in AMBER Alert activations. The developed courses, training, networking, and educational opportunities are intended to:

  • Help officers understand their roles and responsibilities as it pertains to endangered missing and abducted child incidents.
  • Ensure law enforcement, broadcasters, and media are familiar with all aspects of the Missouri AMBER Alert plan, including activation criteria and procedures.
  • Provide communication personnel with information and technical knowledge about NCIC entries and specific plan notification procedures and criteria.
  • Increase public awareness and understanding of the AMBER Alert Program.
  • Ensure public information officers are aware of the process involved in the AMBER Alert Plan.
  • Keep the AMBER Alert coordinator and designated administrators current on training and prepared to issue all alerts.
  • Ensure law enforcement officers and support personnel are aware of the alerting systems available and how to request their use.
  • Achieve the greatest reach, relevance, and impact for those who need AMBER Alert information.

Four Missouri Alerts Training events were held in 2025. The training locations were Macon (Troop B), Poplar Bluff (Troop E), St. Joseph (Troop H), and Rolla (Troop I). Troop G (Willow Springs) agencies were invited to the training in Troops E and I. The total attendance at these events was 53 attendees from 18 different agencies. Two classes were held at each troop, and four hours of POST Continuing Law Enforcement Education credit were earned for attending the training.

AMBER Alert Coordinator, Captain Jason N. Crites, attended the following AMBER Alert training session and meetings in 2025:

  • AMBER Alert Symposium in Washington, D.C., February 25–26
  • ISEARCH meeting in Washington, D.C., February 27
  • ISEARCH meeting in Milwaukee, WI, September 30 – October 1
  • Region 4 AMBER Alert virtual meeting on September 24

AMBER Alert Statistics

December 1, 2024 – November 30, 2025

20 AMBER Alerts were requested (5 included more than 1 child reported missing—a total of 27 children were reported missing)

  • 8 AMBER Alerts were approved/met AMBER Alert criteria
    • 7 were broadcast: 10 children total (1 alert involved 2 missing children, 1 alert involved 3 missing children)
      • All 10 children were located safe (3 were located in Missouri, 1 in Arkansas, 3 in Illinois, 2 in Indiana, 1 in Nebraska)
    • 1 was approved for distribution but was not broadcast as the child involved was located safe prior to distribution (located in Kansas)
  • 1 AMBER Alert request was not broadcast as the child involved was located safe prior to approval of the Alert (located safe in Missouri)
  • 11 were denied/did not meet AMBER Alert criteria
    • 9 did not meet AMBER Alert criteria and were approved for issuance as an Endangered Person Advisory (EPA): 11 children total (1 EPA involved 3 children)
      • 11 children were located safe (10 in Missouri, 1 in Kansas)
    • 2 AMBER Alert requests did not meet Missouri AMBER Alert criteria and no other alert was issued: 4 total children (both requests involved 2 children)

June 2025 SECC Meeting

The State Emergency Communications Committee met June 18, 2025.

Missouri Broadcasters Association Contract Engineer Bob Moore serves as chair of the SECC, per Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements.

Attendees

  • Director Mark S. James, Missouri DPS
  • President Chad Mahoney, Missouri Broadcasters Association
  • Contract Engineer Bob Moore, Missouri Broadcasters Association
  • Captain Jason N. Crites, MSHP Troop F
  • Lieutenant Eric F. Brown, MSHP PIED
  • Director Bradley W. Coffey, MSHP CommD
  • Communications Director Mike O'Connell, Missouri DPS
  • Director Roger Strope, Missouri Statewide Interoperability Network
  • Assistant Director Matthew Nutt, Missouri Statewide Interoperability Network
  • System Administrator Kristy Goans, Missouri Statewide Interoperability Network
  • Deputy Operations Chief Michael Griffith, State Emergency Management Agency
  • Public Relations Specialist Emilee Kuschel, MSHP PIED

Discussion

Chairman Moore began the meeting by discussing the difficulty of working with new FCC leadership in Washington and new priorities because of changing presidential administrations. He shared that although the new FCC contact for Missouri said that while the state is very close to approval of its Emergency Alert System plan, there appear to be two issues preventing approval of the latest State of Missouri EAS plan:

  • Each state must identify primary and backup National Sources for EAS. The FCC will not accept the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), which the Missouri plan uses. Therefore, Missouri's plan must assign two acceptable National Sources to each operational area for the state. Missouri must use any two of the following: Primary Entry Point Stations (LP1s are the primary monitoring source that other participating stations in an area must tune to for incoming alerts and for generating required system tests) KMOX (St. Louis) or WHB (Kansas City); National Public Radio stations with a direct link to FEMA; or Sirius XM receivers. In the Missouri EAS plan, Sirius XM will serve as the Primary monitoring backup source for LP1 and LP2 stations. The state purchased Sirius XM satellite receivers in 2024 for all LP1 and LP2 stations across the state.
  • The FCC says that because broadcast outlets in Kansas as well as Missouri serve people in the Kansas City area, the LP1s and LP2s in the area for both states should match in EAS plans for each state. Chair Moore is working with the Kansas EAS chair to coordinate a plan that would make both state EAS plans acceptable to the FCC.

If KMOX or WHB cannot be received, NPR stations have been assigned as the second National Source in each operational area. This fulfilled the requirement of having two National Sources if an LP1 (KMOX or WHB) cannot be received. The Patrol is currently programming Barix Exstreamers, which will be distributed, installed and connected to the Sage Endec emergency alert system equipment in LP1 and LP2 stations across the state. The Barix Exstreamers will receive Sirius XM audio over an internet connection.

DPS Director James asked if it made a difference whether the FCC approved Missouri's EAS plan. Mr. Mahoney said approval of the EAS plan matters because broadcast stations are regulated by the FCC and the FCC requires that each state have an EAS plan.

Chairman Moore said he will continue to work with the FCC to resolve the pending issues. He asked Mr. Coffey where things stood regarding the Sirius XM receiver for Troop F, the Barix Instreamer, and Cradlepoint routers. The Barix Exstreamers receive the Sirius XM licensed channel. Mr. Coffey said eight to 10 of the receivers are programmed and ready to be distributed, and that licensing for Cradlepoints was being worked on.

Chairman Moore next brought up the issue of AMBER Alerts and reported that there are complaints from some broadcasters that AMBER Alerts are still sent out statewide in Missouri to all broadcast outlets. He suggested that the AMBER Alerts for broadcast stations should be limited to the region where the event occurred, the same way that the Highway Patrol now limits AMBER Alerts sent out through the Wireless Emergency Alerts system. Viewers and listeners are often frustrated by programming being interrupted for alerts about distant cases that seem unlikely to reach their area.

Chairman Moore next inquired about how the Missouri Governor would issue a statewide alert through the EAS system, if necessary. He said that there was a plan about three years ago to build a backup system using cradlepoint to maintain connectivity in case of an internet failure. Chair Moore said he had been unable to program any of the three units he has because they are not licensed.

Chair Moore also mentioned that the FCC takes issue with several Missouri radio stations that are located in the state but are licensed in another state. The FCC's online software will not allow Chair Moore to assign a station licensed in another state as an LP2. There is a Missouri station that is licensed as being in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas, and another Kansas City area station that is licensed in Kansas.

Mr. Mahoney brought up the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which the broadcasters consider extremely important as some manufacturers consider making AM radios optional in motor vehicles. The broadcasters say AM radio is a key free and reliable source of public warning information about weather and other immediate hazards. He said the bill, which would require that manufacturers include AM radios in all new vehicles, continues to have broad bipartisan support but that time simply ran out in Congress' last session.

Mr. Mahoney also mentioned that following the May 16 EF-3 tornado that caused widespread destruction in the city of St. Louis there has been increased interest in the Missouri First Informer Broadcasters Act. Enacted in 2016, the act was designed to facilitate qualified broadcaster engineers and technical personnel access to areas necessary to restore, repair or resupply facilities used for broadcasting essential disaster-related public information programming following a disaster, when conditions or emergency operations could otherwise restrict access. Mr. Mahoney said that the two FEMA online courses that DPS had selected in order to comply with the act's provision that training, and education be provided to first informer broadcasters were proving too difficult for some applicants to achieve passing scores. Mr. O'Connell said he would work with Mr. Mahoney to select a substitute training course.

The committee suggested May 20, 2026 at 1 p.m. as the next meeting date. Meeting adjourned.

December 2025 AMBER Alert Oversight Committee Agenda

Monday, December 8, 2025, 1330 hours

Attendees

  • Director Mark S. James, Missouri DPS
  • Captain Scott B. White, MSHP PIED
  • Deputy Communications Director Sami Jo Freeman, DHSS
  • Sheriff Stephen Korte, Pike County Sheriff's Office
  • News Director Bridget Lovelle, KY3 and KSPR, Television Broadcasters
  • Program Director Todd Nixon, KBEQ-FM, Large Market Radio Broadcasters
  • Ms. Chelley Odle, Owner/Managing Partner B104.3, Small Market Radio Broadcasters
  • Captain Jason N. Crites, MSHP Troop F
  • Division Director Bradley W. Coffey, MSHP CommD
  • Division Director Scott A. Robinson, MSHP CJIS
  • Assistant Director Jeffrey D. Reece, MSHP CTD

Guests

  • Communications Director Mike O'Connell, Missouri DPS
  • Public Relations Specialist Megan L. Edwards, MSHP PIED
  • Section Chief James M. Park, MSHP CommD
  • Contract Engineer Bob Moore, Missouri Broadcasters Association

Agenda Items

  1. Welcome and Introductions — Director James
  2. Discussion of and approval of Draft AMBER Alert Annual Report — Captain White
  3. AMBER Alert statistics for 2024 — Captain Crites
  4. Communications Update — Director Coffey
  5. Technical Update — Assistant Director Reece
  6. Training Update — Captain Crites
  7. Public Comments (2–3 minutes each)
  8. Closing and Adjournment — Director James

December 2025 AMBER Alert Oversight Committee Minutes

Monday, December 8, 2025, 1330 hours

Attendees (In Person)

  • Director Mark S. James, Missouri DPS
  • Captain Scott B. White, MSHP PIED
  • Captain Jason N. Crites, MSHP Troop F
  • Division Director Bradley W. Coffey, MSHP CommD
  • Division Director Scott A. Robinson, MSHP CJIS
  • Assistant Director Jeffrey D. Reece, MSHP CTD

Attendees (via WebEx)

  • Deputy Communications Director Sami Jo Freeman, DHSS
  • News Director Bridget Lovelle, KY3 and KSPR, Television Broadcasters
  • Owner/Managing Partner Chelley Odle, B104.3, Small Market Radio Broadcasters
  • Sheriff Stephen Korte, Pike County Sheriff's Office

Guests

  • Communications Director Mike O'Connell, Missouri DPS
  • Public Relations Specialist Megan L. Edwards, MSHP PIED
  • Section Chief James M. Park, MSHP CommD
  • Contract Engineer Bob Moore, Missouri Broadcasters Association (via WebEx)

Director James welcomed guests and attendees and took roll. A quorum was declared.

Annual Report

Captain Scott White discussed the previously emailed draft of the AMBER Alert System Oversight Committee's 2025 Annual Report, provided information about updates and requested feedback for any suggested edits. Mr. Bob Moore asked for clarification if the SECC meeting minutes were included in the AMBER Alert Report and Communications Director Mike O'Connell said yes. Ms. Bridget Lovelle asked for clarification on the status of the backup Emergency Alert System (EAS), since it was not approved at the SECC meeting. Bob Moore responded and said that he and Division Director Coffey have three functional units in the field program. Moore also suggested that after the holidays that he and Director Coffey send duplicate messages to the units to ensure that they work. Director Coffey responded that all the equipment is in place at Troop F and all that needs to be done is to take the Cradlepoint routers and the additional Barix Instreamer boxes to the LP1 and LP2 stations.

AMBER Alert Statistics

Captain Jason Crites reviewed the AMBER Alert statistics for 2025. In the past year, 20 AMBER Alerts were requested. Of those requests, eight were approved, and seven were broadcasted. One was not broadcasted after approval because the child was found before being broadcasted. Alerts for 10 children in total were broadcasted, and all were found alive. One child shows as still missing but is not in danger; the child is involved in a parental dispute. In four cases, the alert assisted in the recovery of the child; in two cases did not; and one is unknown. Eleven AMBER Alert requests did not meet the criteria but were approved for an Endangered Person Advisory (EPA). All individuals were found safe. Two AMBER Alert requests did not meet the Missouri criteria, and no alerts were issued.

Communications Update

Division Director Brad Coffey reported that he is working with Bob Moore and the Missouri Broadcasters Association to harden the EAS network to ensure that there are multiple ways for the LP1 and LP2 stations to receive and distribute alerts. The process has begun and is making progress. The goal is to complete the LP1 and LP2 stations in 2026. Bob Moore added that the broadcasters plan to regionalize AMBER Alerts by troop regions in 2026 so that more stations will broadcast the alerts. Some broadcasters stopped running the alerts or selected them on a case-by-case basis since they are not now regionalized, leading to "alert fatigue" among viewers and listeners.

Technical Update

Cybersecurity and Technology Division (CTD) Assistant Director Jeffrey Reece stated that MoAlerts is an in-house system and all required updates are completed by Patrol application development personnel. They are now working with the LPR vendors Motorola, Flock, Genetech, and Axon. Assistant Director Reece said that any time an AMBER Alert is issued in Missouri and has a license plate attached with it, within one minute the alert information is in the LPR interface for the companies to take and check within their systems.

The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) required routine updates and the Patrol made corresponding updates to ensure compatibility.

Various minor enhancements that were requested by Troop F have been completed. These requests come from after-action meetings with the divisions and people involved in AMBER Alert distribution following each alert.

CTD upgraded the server that hosts MoAlerts. This kept MoAlerts on the most up-to-date technology and increased security for the system.

CTD is continuing to look into the use of the cloud to store AMBER Alerts for usage on electronic billboards or any other device. The Patrol is working toward operating entirely in the Microsoft Azure Cloud environment for the billboards and electronic signs to ensure servers have the capacity to meet demand.

Assistant Director Reece stated that CTD is looking into implementing an Automated Field Reporting System for troopers. MoAlerts will be interfaced to that system and that information will be broadcasted statewide to troopers.

Assistant Director Reece stated he would like CTD to start exploring the use of artificial intelligence to potentially use to scan social media posts for tips during AMBER Alerts.

CTD has targeted alerts for both the county- and troop-level. Most alerts are targeted by troop. Assistant Director Reece asked Bob Moore if this would affect broadcasters. Mr. Moore was enthusiastic about stations targeting alerts for their audience.

Ms. Lovelle asked about the current situation with billboards and whether the information was manually entered by MoDOT. Assistant Director Reece confirmed the process was currently a manual process. However, with the new interface, it is anticipated billboards could quickly receive and share the alerts, similar to LPR operators. This interface would be available for anyone to use for their own private billboard as well. The usage of the cloud for the interface would lessen the chance of overloading the system.

Ms. Lovelle inquired about the chronological order and informational details disseminated during an alert, specifically, why the first alert doesn't have more information than just the vehicle description. Assistant Director Reece responded that the Patrol has designed it in that order. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are limited to 180 characters; the suspect vehicle information needs to be disseminated to the public quickly. Statistics also show that WEAs are the leading platform when it comes to locating children. The full alert information is beneficial and released as soon as possible, but this information comes in more slowly.

Captain Crites further explained that an alert is released in three stages:

  • the WEA disseminates vehicle and license plate information as quickly as possible;
  • the MoAlerts information, including photos and additional details, is posted; and
  • information taken from MoAlerts is broadcasted as an EAS alert.

Training Update

Captain Crites provided an overview of the training sessions the Patrol held and the training he attended. Training alternates between troops each year for the four-hour POST-certified alert training. This training covers AMBER, ESA, EPA, and Blue alerts. Presentations are given by a Communications Officer, CJIS trainer, and the Missing Persons Clearinghouse representative in MIAC. Trainings were held in Macon (Troop B), Poplar Bluff (Troop E), St. Joseph (Troop H), and Rolla (Troop I). Willow Springs (Troop G) was invited to attend Poplar Bluff or Rolla training. Two four-hour sessions were conducted each day. Local agencies are also invited to attend, and 18 agencies were present, with 53 total attendees.

Captain Crites attended the AMBER Alert Symposium, two ISEARCH meetings, and the National Criminal Justice Training Center (NCJTC) Region 4 meeting. NCJTC also held a new coordinator training this year and four lieutenants from Troop F attended the training.

Bob Moore asked what alerts were being sent to MoAlerts. Assistant Director Reece responded that MoAlerts sends AMBER and Blue Alerts. Captain Crites shared that WEA and EAS are used for AMBER Alerts and Blue Alerts only.

Ms. Lovelle asked if training for media broadcasters could be made available. Captain White responded that the Patrol and DPS would be happy to come to the broadcasters' annual meeting in June at the Lake of the Ozarks to share a presentation about AMBER Alerts. Bob Moore added that with changes being made at the Federal Communications Commission concerning emergency alerting, 2026 would be a good year to have a large turnout.

Comments / Public Comments

Director James shared Senate Bill 965 with the committee. If the bill were to become law, an additional alert would be created for those who are missing with medical emergencies. Division Director Coffey also mentioned Senate Bill 1027 that called for a ban on automated license plate readers.

Ms. Lovelle asked how many LPR networks there are. Assistant Director Reece responded that he wasn't sure, he said St. Louis uses a system called LeoPaRd that connects with other LPRs. Only Motorola, Flock, Genetech, and Axon have signed up with the Patrol, to accept alert information into the LPR systems.

This concluded the committee's discussion.

Sheriff Korte motioned to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Lovelle seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned.

Email Meetings

At 1:52 PM, December 12, 2025, the AMBER Alert Oversight Committee met via email. A quorum was declared. Members of the committee reviewed the December 8, 2025, meeting minutes. Captain Scott White made a motion that the minutes be approved. Deputy Communications Director Sami Jo Freeman, DHSS, seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

At 8:23 AM, December 15, 2025, the AMBER Alert Oversight Committee met via email. A quorum was declared. Members of the committee reviewed the finalized draft of the AMBER Alert Oversight Committee 2025 Annual Report. Captain Scott White made a motion that the report be approved. Deputy Communications Director Sami Jo Freeman, DHSS, seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously at 11:56 AM, December 15, 2025.