What is a florida purple alert?

A Florida Purple Alert is issued by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to help locate missing adults suffering from severe mental, cognitive, or intellectual disabilities. This contrasts with other alerts, like the Florida Silver Alert which targets missing elderly adults with irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties and the Florida Amber Alert for missing children.

The Purple Alert aims to quickly disseminate information to the public, enabling them to assist in locating these vulnerable individuals. Criteria for activation typically involve a confirmed missing person, a clear indication of a disability that poses a risk to their safety, and sufficient descriptive information to aid in identification. The FDLE works with local law enforcement to issue and manage these alerts.