Silver Alert: What Is It?

By: Eunicia Baker/Eyewitness News 9 | WNCT
Published: March 17, 2008

What William Wright and Jeremy Vaden have in common is, they both suffer with dementia, both men are over 18, and both have been reported missing. This is why they have been the subjects of the most recent Silver Alerts in our state.

This program went into action last December in North Carolina. A Silver Alert is similar to an Amber Alert, but they're for people 18 and older with mental illnesses, who have been reported missing.

The way it works is after a missing person’s report has been filed, law officers contact the state Center for Missing Persons which is the only organization that can issue a Silver Alert.

Although the alert is for anyone over 18, senior citizens in the east see it as a real Godsend. Sonia Lopez says, “I think it's wonderful because there are so many senior people that wander and they don't know where they're going. And that’s way it's a protection."

Darnella Hall says her late husband had that kind of problem. She says, he would sometimes wonder away from home. That’s why she appreciates the program. She says, "I know from experience that the senior alert is very necessary."

Law enforcement says the sooner we report a missing person the better, because it gives them the opportunity to get the word out to the public much faster. They say it increases the odds of bringing a loved one home safely who may simply be confused.

If you would like to learn more about our state's silver alert program, type in the keywords: Silver Alert.