Immediate action is necessary!! Silver Alert is a public notification system created to broadcast information about missing persons, especially vulnerable senior citizens. We have Amber Alerts for missing children. We need Silver Alerts for missing vulnerable senior citizens.

Thirty-eight states and the District of Columbia have a Silver Alert system. While Michigan has the Mozelle Senior or Vulnerable Adult Medical Alert Act, Act 176 of 2012, with a quarter of Michigan residents now age 60 or over, it is time to implement a meaningful and time-tested alert system for vulnerable seniors.

Act 176 of 2012 permits law enforcement to initiate contact with other law enforcement through Michigan’s computer network for law enforcement officers, the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN). The Act allows sharing of information with news media and other relevant sources when a vulnerable senior citizen goes missing. However, it does not meet the imperative need of alerting the citizens of Michigan who can supply valuable information to aid in the timely recovery of missing senior citizens.

Data from other states shows that Silver Alerts work. For example, in North Carolina in 2008, 128 Silver Alerts were issued resulting in 118 safely recovered senior citizens. Silver Alerts would provide emergency notification to quickly disseminate information about missing seniors, particularly those with cognitive impairments like dementia or Alzheimer's.

Here are some reasons why Silver Alerts are considered necessary:

1.         Vulnerable Population: Seniors with cognitive impairments are particularly vulnerable when they go missing. They may become disoriented, confused, and unable to effectively communicate their identity or location. This puts them at higher risk of accidents, exposure to harsh weather conditions, or becoming victims of crime.

2.         Time Sensitivity: When a senior goes missing, time is of the essence in locating them safely. The longer they are unaccounted for, the greater the risk to their health and safety. Silver Alerts enable authorities to quickly notify the public and law enforcement agencies, increasing the chances of a successful recovery.

3.         Community Involvement: Silver Alerts engage the community in the search for missing seniors. By disseminating information about the missing individual to the public through various channels, such as highway signs, social media, and news broadcasts, it encourages people to be on the lookout and report any relevant information to law enforcement.

4.         Regional Cooperation: Silver Alerts often involve cooperation between multiple law enforcement agencies, which can be critical in locating missing seniors who may have crossed jurisdictional boundaries.

5.         Saving Lives: The primary goal of Silver Alerts is to save lives. When seniors with cognitive impairments go missing, their safety and well-being are at risk. The rapid dissemination of information through Silver Alerts can lead to successful recoveries and prevent tragic outcomes.

Data tells us that the first six hours are the most critical. Search times can be reduced from hours and days to minutes if there is an effective system in place. With Silver Alerts, coordinated search and rescue efforts can be implemented almost at once.

With the population of senior citizens in Michigan growing, limited protective options for seniors living with vulnerabilities, and seniors being cared for in the community, Silver Alerts can save lives. Silver Alerts are widely recognized as a valuable tool for protecting and locating our most vulnerable seniors and it is beyond time to bring this tool to Michigan.