Police: How to aid in missing persons cases and what qualifies for an alert

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A missing person is a scary thing for a family or friend, and it’s important to know where to go and the extent of the case.

There are a few different alerts nationally and state specific that have certain criteria needing to be met.

The national Amber Alert issued sparingly for fear of public indifference, detailing the potential abduction of an individual under 18. The alert contains a variety of information such as physical appearance, possible destination, license plates on vehicles and such.

Warren County Emergency Management deputy director Travis Puckett told News 40 that this alert is for someone suspected to have been taken and is in immediate danger or with a non-custodial figure that could do them harm.

Puckett also gave some clarity on Kentucky’s Golden Alert and the Green Alert.

The Golden Alert he said is for individuals above the age of 18 who have some sort of organic brain injury or mental impairment like varying degrees of Autism or Alzheimer’s that could cause them to find themselves in a dangerous situation, somewhat similar to the Green Alert. The Green Alert is issued for veterans who may suffer from PTSD.

News 40 spoke to Bowling Green Police Department’s public information officer, Ronnie Ward, who said time is of the essence and encouraged the public to always call, not comment, if they see something or think they might know something.