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| New cellphone AMBER Alerts rattle Californians |
The AMBER Alert was a replay of what New Yorkers, Georgians and others across the country have experienced this year.
AMBER Alerts started going to cellphones in January, part of a broader Wireless Emergency Alert System that can also send imminent-threat alerts for natural and man-made disasters, and alerts from the president. A cellphone user can opt out of the first two but not presidential alerts.
Ninety-eight percent of cellphone owners are signed up for the alerts — even if they don't know it. Most newer cellphones are automatically set up to receive them. Alerts can be turned off by contacting the service provider or changing the phone's settings.
The alert Monday was California's first AMBER Alert sent statewide to cellphones, issued in the case of James Lee DiMaggio, who is suspected of abducting two children after their mother was killed.
When an alert is triggered, a message goes from a government agency to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which verifies it, then sends it on to Verizon, Sprint and all but a few small carriers. Cellphones in the target area where the alert applies get a loud beeping alert and vibration.
It's that noise that has people such as Brant Walker, 33, of San Francisco, opting out.
"The alerts are really annoying," he said. "I've gotten probably eight to 10 of them over the last few days. There is no warning. You could be in a car rocking out to music with the stereo all the way turned up and the alert just overrides it and gives you a really loud, audible siren noise."
"They certainly have the right to opt out, but we hope they don't," said Bob Hoever of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. "Finding a missing child is like finding a needle in a haystack. The more eyes and ears you have out there, the smaller that haystack becomes."
The messages are meant to be disruptive. The unique signal and vibration are intended to show urgency and make sure people with hearing or vision problems get it, said Brian Josef, assistant vice president for regulatory affairs of CTIA-The Wireless Association, which represents cellphone companies.
"Our hope is that they don't opt out. It's no exaggeration that these alerts literally save lives," Josef said. "We have always urged that they be sent judiciously and sparingly, and we not have 'car alarm syndrome,' where people disregard the alert."
"The alerts help us get information right out to the public," said Fran Clader, spokeswoman for the California Highway Patrol, which sends AMBER Alerts. The people out on the roads, they are the eyes of California's law enforcement. When there is a child in danger, we need everyone looking for them."
Clader said the department got complaints and praise for the alert Tuesday on its Facebook page and other social media.
"Some people were startled because it came in the middle of the night, and we certainly understand that, but if there is any opportunity someone might see the car and call law enforcement, we need to take advantage of that opportunity," Clader said. "Lives are at risk here."
"They are a great idea, but the deafening beeps and overriding settings need to be addressed," said Sandy Fiehrer, 52, of Dublin, Ohio, who has gotten several alerts. "There are a lot of situations where your phone needs to be silent. When you are sleeping, at the doctor's office, especially driving — those abrupt loud sounds could be dangerous."
