On Friday May 30th, Evelyn, Paityn, and Olivia Decker did not return home to their mother Whitney Decker after a scheduled visitation with their father, Travis Decker. The crucial hours that followed were filled with anxiety and helplessness. An AMBER Alert could have made a profound difference in those first critical moments, mobilizing community resources and law enforcement to ensure their swift and safe return. An AMBER alert was not sent out in this case, because the authorities did not believe there was an immediate threat of violence against the girls, which is a key factor in determining eligibility for an AMBER Alert. Law enforcement should not be hendered, but should be enabled to utilize all available capabilities such as an AMBER Alert in a case such as this to find missing children. 

Statistics show that when an AMBER Alert is issued within the first three hours of a child's disappearance, the likelihood of a safe recovery increases significantly. A study by the U.S. Department of Justice indicates that over 50% of abducted children are recovered through these alerts. However, delays or failures in activation can diminish the impact of this potentially life-saving tool.

We must reform the criteria and protocols through which AMBER Alerts are issued in Washington State. These reforms should include less restrictive guidelines for law enforcement, enabling the authorities to activate an AMBER alert for instances such as the disappearance of Evelyn, Paityn, and Olivia Decker. Furthermore, enabling instead of restricting the utilization of the AMBER alert system has the potential to save countless lives.

Sign this petition to urge Washington State officials to revise and enhance the AMBER Alert system. Together, we can be the change!