Recent missing seniors highlight use of Silver Alert system

On July 17, just after midnight, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a missing person, last known to be in the Willow area. Troopers are attempting to locate Lena Batt, age 66.

Batt was last seen riding in a green medium pickup truck, though there were no tags reported. She is reported to be 5-foot-4 and 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. It is reported that she has no know scars, tattoos, or birthmarks. Anyone with information on Batt's whereabouts are urged to contact Troopers.

This is the latest in a recent uptick of older residents reported missing in the Mat-Su Valley, bringing increased notification and awareness to missing senior citizens. Most recall the recent alert for Wasilla resident Theresa Ortega who had been reported missing June 22.The community responded, providing resources such as MAT-SAR and Alaska Solstice Search Dogs, drone owners who helped with aerial searches, and people who simply brought water and snacks for those conducting the search. And Alaska State Troopers (AST) and the Department of Public Safety, who answered the call and issued a Silver Alert.

“The Silver Alert is a partnership between law enforcement agencies, state and local government and Alaska’s media and broadcasters to alert the public when a vulnerable adult is missing and believed to be in serious danger,” explains Austin McDaniel, Communications Director for AST. “Notifications are sent to Alaska’s media and broadcasters, social media, email, and the State’s (transportation) 511 system to distribute a description of the missing adult.”

Under the Silver Alert plan, government, media, and broadcasters use public media to provide the public with information about at-risk, missing vulnerable adults.

Unlike the AMBER alert, which is nationwide, McDaniel says that not every state participates in the Silver Alert program. Currently, thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia have Silver Alert or similar programs targeting missing seniors. Alaska established its program 11 years ago by Governor Sean Parnell as part of Alaska House Bill 59, and was developed through cooperation of the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Division of Alaska State Troopers and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Alaska’s Silver Alert plan provides a way for families, care givers, law enforcement, media, and the public to cooperate in locating missing elderly and disabled populations. A Silver Alert provides the public with information about missing at-risk vulnerable adults in order to aid in their return.

The program is modeled after the AMBER Alert, which has established plans in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and has expanded the program into Indian Country and northern and southern borders as part of the efforts to prevent child abductions. According to amberalert.ojp.gov, there are 82 AMBER Alert plans throughout the United States and the system is used internationally in 31 countries. No matter where a child is abducted, communities and law enforcement work together to recover missing children quickly and safely.

The criteria for issuing a Silver Alert varies by state, but generally involves missing people who are at risk and could benefit from public assistance: the missing person is 65 or older, or a child or adult with a developmental or mental disability; the person went missing under suspicious or unexplained circumstances; the person is in danger due to their age, health, or other factors, such as being lost on foot or in a vehicle, or being with a dangerous person.

In Alaska, for a Silver Alert to be issued for a missing individual, the following criteria must be met: the individual is lost on foot or in some mode of transportation; is 18 years of age, or older; and there is a clear indication that the individual has a deterioration of intellectual faculties, a physical impairment or medical condition that makes them unable to meet their own needs or seek help without assistance. Law enforcement must then verifies the criteria above and believes the missing individual is in danger and may come to serious harm if not located.

McDaniel advises people to not delay when notifying law enforcement of a missing person. “It’s not like the TV crime shows or movies that say you need to wait 24 to 48 hours.” He also urges people when calling in a report of a missing person to give as much descriptive information on the missing individual and their last known location as available to help law enforcement and rescuers with their safe recovery.

“Provide a description, the more information, the better.”

To request a Silver Alert in Alaska, the public or a caregiver must contact their local law enforcement agency or the AST. Only a law enforcement agency in Alaska can initiate a Silver Alert.

In Alaska, the Silver Alert Hotline is: 855-SILVR99 - (855-745-8799)