The Ohio AMBER Alert advisory committee is changing how the public receives notifications when the state’s AMBER Alert system is activated.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), which are emergency messages that are broadcast to enabled mobile devices, are now capable of transmitting 360-character text messages in addition to the traditional 90character text messages.
This change is due to increased technology by both wireless carriers and wireless device manufacturers.
Traditional 90-character messages are limited to including basic vehicle information and notification for device users to check local media outlets for additional details.
The increase in characters allows public safety officials to provide more in-depth details on suspects, victims, vehicles, and other pertinent information when the alert is activated.
The changes also enable a URL that redirects the device user to Ohio’s AMBER Alert website or other social media for additional information. Once redirected, the user will be able to see all information regarding the alert as well as any available photos.
An important fact to remember is that some older wireless devices, or certain wireless carriers, may only allow devices to receive 90character messages.
Both 90-character and 360character messages will be sent out during a notification; however, users will only receive the version of the alert supported by their device and carrier.
Devices that are incapable of receiving the new 360-character message will automatically receive the default 90-character one.
An example of the new 360-character messaging format is: AMBER Alert: Columbus OH. 2008 red 4 door Honda Civic OH ABC1234. Victim, 3, white male, brown hair, blue shirt, blue shorts. Suspect, John Doe, 41, white male, blonde hair, red shirt, jeans. Last seen at 1234 Main Street, Columbus. If you see the child, suspect or vehicle, please call 911 or 1-877AMBER-OH. https://ohioam berplan.org.
