Silver Alerts begin in Washington to find missing people 60 and older

Published 2:07 pm Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Law enforcement agencies in Washington have started using a new notification to alert the public of missing people who fit the criteria for a “Silver Alert.”

On Sept. 10 the first “Silver Alert” was issued for Bryant Merrick after a report was taken by Issaquah Police Department. The alert went out at 9:30 a.m., and was posted on DOT digital billboards in three counties. Merrick was located by the Seattle Police Department on Sept. 11 and is safe.

A Silver Alert will be activated when a missing person 60 years of age or older, suffering from a form of dementia, is not able to return to safety without assistance.

When vehicle information is associated with the Silver Alert the state Department of Transportation highway signs and highway advisory radio messages will provide a brief description of the vehicle and license plate number.

For more information on how to subscribe to Silver Alerts please go to the Washington State Patrol website at wsp.wa.gov/index.htm.