Arizona Aims for Summer Launch of Essential Alert System for Missing Endangered Persons

Indigenous families have long expressed frustration regarding the inadequate response from authorities when reporting missing persons. Capt. Paul Etnire, the tribal liaison for the Arizona Department of Public Safety and a member of the Hopi Nation, acknowledges the systemic failures in addressing these cases.

“We do know that there is a huge issue,” Etnire stated, emphasizing the heartbreaking testimonies shared during state and federal hearings focused on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) crisis. He believes the responsibility for this crisis falls on various entities, including law enforcement, social services, and tribal governments.

In response to the ongoing crisis, advocates and Indigenous leaders have pushed for the establishment of a multijurisdictional missing persons alert system. This effort is about to bear fruit, as states prepare to implement the Federal Communications Commission’s new Missing and Endangered Person (MEP) alert code.

In March, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs convened key stakeholders, including representatives from tribal nations, to outline a plan for this new alert system, aiming for implementation by summer. “I know that so many families have been affected by this crisis and have fought for years,” she told the Arizona Mirror, expressing hope that the MEP alert will provide families with a sense of justice.

The MEP alert is designed to address a critical gap in the current alert system for Indigenous individuals who do not qualify for Amber or Silver Alerts. Governor Hobbs highlighted her commitment to amplifying the voices of affected communities, stating, “This is just one example of that.”

Arizona has been identified as having the third largest number of unresolved missing Indigenous cases in the U.S. Currently, 91 cases are recorded in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. A 2021 study indicated that Arizona has a significant number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, with 54 known cases across several urban areas.

The FCC, which adopted the MEP alert code in 2024, emphasizes that it will particularly benefit tribal communities where the risk of violence and disappearance is disproportionately high. In 2023 alone, over 10,600 Indigenous people were reported missing nationwide.

An alert framework has been established, allowing alerts to be disseminated through various channels, including television and mobile devices. Capt. Thomas Neve from the Arizona Department of Public Safety highlighted that this system will enhance search efforts in real-time, marking a shift from existing missing persons advisories.

Neve explained that while the agency issues around 150 emergency alerts each year, the new MEP alert offers a more robust mechanism for notifying the public instantly when individuals go missing. However, he cautioned that thorough verification processes must precede such alerts to ensure they are warranted.

The collaboration between state law enforcement and tribal agencies is crucial, especially since the MEP alert can be initiated irrespective of where the disappearance occurs. Etnire noted that while the alert system is an important step, it is not a comprehensive solution to the MMIP crisis.

Navajo Nation Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among various agencies to ensure effective alert dissemination. She highlighted the importance of swift action, stating that the first 24 hours are critical in such cases.

“It’s another layer of collaboration and data because of the different jurisdictional issues,” Crotty said, suggesting that a successful implementation of the MEP alert could minimize the trauma experienced by families of missing persons.