What is a green alert?

A Green Alert is a type of emergency alert system used in the United States to locate and provide information about at-risk, missing veterans or members of the military. It was created to aid in the quick and safe recovery of veterans who may be suffering from mental health issues or other challenges.

Here are some key points about Green Alerts:

1. Purpose: The primary purpose of a Green Alert is to assist in finding veterans or military members who are missing and considered at risk due to mental health crises, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other factors that may endanger their well-being.

2. Activation: The Green Alert is activated by local or state authorities in cooperation with law enforcement agencies when an eligible veteran or military member goes missing or is believed to be in danger. The criteria for activating a Green Alert may vary from state to state.

3. Notification: Once a Green Alert is activated, relevant information about the missing person is released through various communication channels, such as television, radio, social media, emergency alert systems, digital billboards, and community notifications. The public is encouraged to be vigilant and report any sightings or information that may help in the search and recovery efforts.

4. Collaboration: Green Alerts involve collaboration and coordination between law enforcement agencies, veterans' organizations, media outlets, and the public. The intent is to engage the community in the search efforts and leverage their assistance in locating the missing person.

5. Similarity to Amber and Silver Alerts: The Green Alert system draws inspiration from the successful Amber Alert system for missing children and the Silver Alert system for missing elderly individuals. Green Alerts provide a similar framework to raise awareness and rapidly disseminate details about missing veterans or military personnel.

6. Positive Impact: The Green Alert system has been implemented in several states across the country and has already helped in locating and ensuring the safety of missing veterans. By mobilizing the community and encouraging public involvement, Green Alerts have proven to be an effective tool in preventing potential harm and aiding in the recovery of at-risk individuals.

Overall, Green Alerts are an important part of the emergency alert systems in the United States, specifically targeting the needs and challenges faced by missing veterans or military members. They aim to utilize public participation and awareness to help locate and provide assistance to those in need.