State police warn of renewed Amber Alert hoax

State police warn of renewed Amber Alert hoax
by Michael Russell, The Oregonian
Monday February 09, 2009, 9:50 PM
The Oregon State Police warned today that false Amber Alert messages are showing up again.

For the third time in less than a year, state police have received reports of people receiving old or fake text messages about child abductions on their cell phones.

The Amber Alert program, a national response to missing children, is named for Amber Hagerman, an abducted 9-year-old Texas girl. It notifies the public via TV, radio, e-mail and text message when children are kidnapped.

Police have issued no Amber Alerts in Oregon recently.

Lt. James Rentz, the Oregon Amber Alert coordinator, said fake messages could be damaging when a real alert is issued.

"(Hoaxes) could lead to a delayed response from the public and jeopardize the integrity of the entire Amber Alert plan," he said.

He asked people not to forward any Amber Alert text messages they receive unless the alert can be confirmed on local television, radio or online at www.oregonamberalert.com.

-- Michael Russell;
michaelrussell@news.oregonian.com