Florida’s Silver Alert

Florida’s Silver Alert

Florida’s Silver Alert is a system to help local law enforcement in the rescue of missing persons who have a cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, and become lost while driving a car. Through the use of dynamic message signs along Florida’s roadways, Silver Alerts are broadcast to the public, identifying the license tag number as well as the make, model and color of the missing vehicle. The public is asked to watch for the missing vehicle and, if spotted, to report its location to law enforcement.

This system is similar to Amber Alert, which identifies a vehicle containing a missing child.

The meaning of “missing” is that the person with dementia cannot be found after a 5 to 10 minute careful and thorough search. After such a search, the caregiver should phone 911 and report that the person is missing and has a medical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.

The following information is required by law enforcement when reporting a missing cognitively impaired driver:  The name of the person and that there is a reasonable suspicion that the person is lost.

• A full description of the person and their clothing with a recent photo, if possible.
• The make, model, year, and color of the car along with the license tag number. This information will be verified by law enforcement.
• When and where the person was last seen.
• Confirmation that the person has been diagnosed with a cognitive disease.
• Confirmation that the disappearance of the individual is a threat to their welfare and safety.