A California lawmaker is proposing a statewide system to help notify people about a black child or young woman goes missing. If his proposed legislation is approved, the nations largest states would have an “Ebony Alert” system.
According to ABC 10, State Sen. Steven Bradford, a Democrat, introduced Senate Bill 673 to “address the often ignored or lack of attention given to Black children and young Black women that are missing in California,” a March 23 statement from Bradford’s office said.
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“When someone who is missing is incorrectly listed as a runaway, they basically vanish a second time. They vanish from the police detectives’ workload. They vanish from the headlines. In many ways, no one even knows they are missing. How can we find someone and bring them home safely when no one is really looking for them,” Bradford, vice chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, said.
CA Sen. Steven Bradford wants the state to develop a system that would help find missing Black young adults! The “Ebony Alert” system would help ensure Black young people find their way home — what a great idea that will keep our Black communities safe! https://t.co/WyahouZ6Aj
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) March 31, 2023
The AMBER Alert system was first created in the United States in 1996 as a legacy to 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was abducted while riding her bicycle in Arlington, Texas, and later found murdered. The acronym “AMBER” stands for “America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response” and the program is a voluntary partnership between law-enforcement agencies, broadcasters, transportation agencies, and the wireless industry. Its goal is to rapidly disseminate information about child abductions to the public in order to help locate and recover missing children. Since its inception, the AMBER Alert system has been credited with helping to recover hundreds of abducted children.
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At the same time, there’s also a lack of coverage in the media when news of a missing black child or woman is spreading over the world. Bradford, assured folks that this system will help bring home a missing black woman. “The Ebony Alert would ensure that resources and attention are given so we can bring home missing Black women and Black children in the same way we would search for any missing child and missing person,” Bradford said.
My #EbonyAlert legislation would address the lack of attention given to missing Black youth and young Black women. #SB673 would ensure that attention is given to these cases in the same way we would search for any missing child or missing person. #CALeg https://t.co/8OIO6aALsX
— Senator Steven Bradford (@SenBradfordCA) March 29, 2023
In the United States, the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) reported that there were 543,018 missing persons cases in 2020. Of those cases, approximately 40% involved people of color, including black people. It’s important to note that not all missing persons cases are related to abductions or crimes, and many cases are resolved quickly. The reasons for someone going missing can vary widely and may include running away, getting lost, or experiencing a medical emergency.