UTICA, N.Y. -- Text alerts, billboards, and social media posts let us know when there's an AMBER Alert. Central New Yorkers saw that recently when an AMBER Alert was issued for baby Maddox Lawrence.
"We've had 27 children to date that have been rescued specifically because of wireless emergency alerts," said Robert Hoever, NCMEC special programs director of the Missing Children Division.
That's something that wasn't possible 20 years ago, when the Ride for Missing Children began.
"You become a lot more aware, unfortunately, that it does happen today," said Ride for Missing Children rider Steve Tibbits. "And it brings that kind of awareness in that regard. As far as Facebook and things of that nature, again, it just helps to spread the word that much quicker than even five years ago I think."
"Social media in that regard is awesome, and that's the thing with technology, is there's so many good things for it and with it," said Wendy Fical, the NCMEC Mohawk Valley Office program director, "but we also want to help protect the children from any dangers that might come their way."
Robert Hoever works with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and helps get the word out about AMBER Alerts. He spoke at a meeting for Ride for Missing Children participants and volunteers Monday night. He says social media is a helpful tool in finding children.
"Somebody out there knows something, and with today's technology, rapidly getting the information to the public and soliciting their help, it can be done in a matter of minutes," Hoever said.
More than 800 children have been found because of the AMBER Alert program.