Amber Alert for your PC

You've heard of the Amber Alert system, the alert system that's being credited with helping to locate children who've been abducted across the country. Now there's a similar high-tech service that could prove to be easier and faster.

Your lap-top can now be used to help police find kidnapped children. it's a new system called "Terralert" - a web-based network that takes the same "amber-alert" messages used by police on the highways, and send them to millions of people who use instant messaging services on their computers or other devices.

Terralert has secured a deal with Microsoft to begin sending these alerts to MSN instant messaging subscribers. An authoirized law enforcement officer types in the information about a missing child and suspect. The officer can then designate who should receive the message in which cities and states. And that, officials say, eliminates the possibility of cry-wolf messages.

New Jersey recently became the latest state to implement the Amber Alert system to combat child predators--vital information like the child's description will be quickly disseminated on television and radio channels, and on electronic road signs.

But with more and more people using instant messaging while in their cars or while using public transportation, police are hoping the new Terralert network will prove to also be an effective weapon against child abductors.

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Author: 6 ABC-AP