In 1996 Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl, was abducted and murdered while riding her bicycle
in Arlington, Texas. The community, shocked by this tragedy, contacted radio stations in the
Dallas area and suggested they broadcast special “alerts” over the airwaves so they could help
prevent such incidents in the future. One individual, Diana Simone, suggested a program be
implemented allowing the use of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) to notify the public when a
child has been abducted. If the community were aware then they too could assist in the search.