Texas Alert Programs
Since 2003, the Texas Lottery has served as a primary stakeholder in notifying the public of specific missing person alerts issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety. In addition to the Texas Lottery, other state, federal and private stakeholders, collectively known as the State Network, have helped establish the various individual missing person alert programs (identified below).
ALERT | CRITERIA |
AMBER | Abducted child 17 years or younger in danger of sexual assault, death or serious bodily injury |
Silver | Missing older adult with an impaired mental condition |
Blue | Suspect who has either killed or seriously injured a law enforcement officer |
Endangered Missing Person | Missing person with an intellectual disability or developmental disorder |
Camo | Missing current/former service member with a documented mental illness |
CLEAR | Missing adult ages 18-64 in imminent danger of bodily injury or death or the disappearance is involuntary |
Here is how the Texas Lottery participates:Through the six established alert programs, more than 17,500 lottery retailers statewide have become an important part of the state’s efforts in quickly helping to promote tips and leads to law enforcement agencies in association with issued alerts.
- When a local law enforcement agency has a report of an abducted child, a missing adult, etc., it can activate the State Network with a request to the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS).
- Once TxDPS confirms the State Network should be activated, a message is sent to the Texas Lottery Operator's Control Room.
- Lottery Operator staff send a message to the lottery retailers' Enterprise Series Multi Media (ESMM) monitors and lottery terminals.
However, the most important stakeholder and participant in any Texas-issued alert is the PUBLIC (you). Without the public’s assistance, the majority of missing individuals could not be found.
To learn more about the various missing person alert programs, please visit the following websites:
Missing Person Alert Programs in Texas
Frequently Asked Questions on Missing Person Alerts in Texas