AMBER ALERT-KENNEWICK/RICHLAND WASHINGTON

KomoTV (ABC) ^ | 2/5/03

[billclintonwillrotinhell]

I never thought I'd see a die-hard Amber Alert critic, but I guess we have one here at FreeRepublic. As opposed to many criminal investigations, child-abduction cases are especially time sensitive, since the child is usually killed within the first 24 hours. Here in Washington state, police must suspect foul play and believe the child is in danger before they send out the alert. In fact, this Sofia Juarez case is the first time the Amber Alert has been activated here statewide. Yes, there will be occasional hoaxes, runaways and custody disputes, but there are also enormous triumphs - like the one in Lancaster, Calif., last year when two teenagers' lives were saved in the nick of time by Kern County deputies who shot the pervert out in the desert before he could kill his victims. The deputies were acting on an Amber Alert tip from an animal-control worker who had spotted the suspect's vehicle.

I for one, as a citizen with a conscience, will never ignore an Amber Alert. If anything, we need MORE alerts to inform the public of dangerous violent fugitives who have escaped justice for all sorts of brutal crimes (you know, the kind of criminals the impeached one liked to pardon when he wasn't shoving cigars into interns).

Luckily, most Americans haven't tired of fighting crime and helping law enforcement. John Walsh's America's Most Wanted has caught more than 700 of the most dangerous criminals out there because of public involvement, and I believe the Amber Alert has been credited nationally for saving 30 or 40 lives of children over the last several years.

[JLS]

You people are amazing. All the guy is saying is that false alarms make real alarms less noticed. This is true whether it is the police or the neighborhood nut sending out the false alarm.

Now whether he is right that too many of these alerts are unnecessary or not is something you could take issue with him about. Saying you hope he never has need for one or loses a child misses the point. Maybe he has, and it was drowned out by various alerts of dubious nature, late teens who appear to have run off with boyfriends, custody disputes etc.

[ALS]

I was born in Pasco, and I have brothers and sisters in the other 2 towns,
Pasco is almost all messican now.

Let's hope they find this girl intact!

[cyncooper]

This is an hour from where I live, across the Columbia River

Good morning, Val. I am just reading your post. Please let us know if you hear any news on this little girl.

[cyncooper]

Bump for

Sofia Lucerno Juarez 5 years old

[Maedhros]

link

[HairOfTheDog]

Thank you so much.

[Spunky]

I counted 13 abuses on your link since 1996. That doesn't seem like an over abundance of abuse of the system. Also there does not appear to be any since Dec. 2001.

Unfortunately there will always be those who do abuse the system.

This was the first alert for Washington State.

When I was watching cable, I only heard of 3 other alerts.

Where you live are there so many abductions that you hear the alert all the time?

[Spunky]

The Amber Alert has been called off as the number of tips has dwindled and there was no vehicle to track. Many volunteers were out today. They said they won't need volunteers to help look any further unless more information comes in.

The father has been ruled out. He was located in the area and took a lie detector test. The boyfriend of the grandmother appears to be ruled out also.

The police are turning their attention to sex offenders who live in the area. There are 167 registered sex offenders of which 6 are level 3. Kennewick only has a population of around 50,000 to 60,000.

I pray for Sofia's safe return.

[HairOfTheDog]

Not good at all. Let me know.

[CyberCowboy777]

I missed a two days - project at work.

Sorry

[HollyHock]

Please ping me all info on Sophie, I have been following the Laci story. And now I need updated here! Thanks

[HollyHock]

Sorry meant to say Sophia.

[Johnny Gage]

Mega ping.

[B4Ranch]

Maybe in Quatar kids aren't valuable, but they sure are in America.

[firewalk]

bump....

[Victoria Delsoul]

Bump.

[Dubya]

Sophia Juaraz, 5 year old Hispanic female with black hair, and brown eyes is missing from her home in Richland Washington..

FOR INFO 1-800-843-5678

FOR REWARD 509-586-8477

Thanks for the ping Johnny.

[Maedhros]

nyuck nyuck nyuck