News Summary
Arizona has introduced the ‘Turquoise Alert’ program to enhance efforts in locating missing persons from Native American communities. This initiative responds to the tragic case of 14-year-old Emily Pike, aiming to improve safety for Indigenous individuals under 65 who are missing under suspicious circumstances. The alert system, established through House Bill 2281, symbolizes a commitment to addressing long-standing issues of missing and murdered Indigenous people, aligning with similar initiatives across other states.
Phoenix, Arizona – Arizona has officially launched a new missing persons alert program called the “Turquoise Alert,” aimed at assisting in locating missing individuals from Native American communities across the state. This initiative was developed in response to the tragic disappearance of 14-year-old Emily Pike, a member of the San Carlos Apache tribe, whose remains were found in February 2023.
The “Turquoise Alert” system was established through House Bill 2281, referred to as “Emily’s Law,” which received unanimous support from state lawmakers before being signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs. This new alert system is focused on locating individuals under the age of 65 who are reported missing under suspicious circumstances, or who are considered in danger.
In addition to responding to the urgent need for a more effective way to locate missing persons, the “Turquoise Alert” aims to improve public safety within Tribal communities that have faced significant challenges related to missing and murdered Indigenous people. Following Emily Pike’s disappearance and subsequent death, there has been an increased call for government action and better responses to such cases.
The initiative follows a national trend, as similar systems have been established in other states outside Arizona, including New Mexico and North Dakota. The roots of this movement can be traced back to Washington state, where the first similar alerts were introduced in 2022. Arizona’s program aligns with California’s recent introduction of “ebony alerts” designed specifically for missing Black youths. These developments come amid concerns over the disproportionate representation of missing individuals from minority communities.
The need for the “Turquoise Alert” system is underscored by alarming statistics; in 2023, over 188,000 people in the United States went missing but did not meet the criteria for Amber Alerts. This discrepancy highlights the urgent necessity for additional alert systems that cater specifically to vulnerable populations.
House Bill 2281 was sponsored by State Representative Teresa Martinez, who advocated for better responses to incidents involving missing children. She has expressed concerns regarding the adequacy of previous efforts to locate missing persons, especially those from Indigenous backgrounds. The establishment of the “Turquoise Alert” signals a commitment by Arizona to address these longstanding issues seriously.
The alert system will also respond to calls for legislative reviews of the Arizona Department of Child Services’ group home regulations—a critical concern that emerged following Emily’s case. Emily’s disappearance from her group home was especially troubling due to the lack of timely communication, as her mother was not informed for a week regarding her daughter’s absence.
To bolster ongoing investigations into the circumstances surrounding Emily Pike’s case, both the FBI and the San Carlos Apache Tribe have offered a combined reward of $150,000 for information related to her disappearance. Advocates have highlighted the emotional significance of the Turquoise Alert within the community, recognizing it as a vital tool that could potentially save lives in the future.
As lawmakers continue to examine further aspects related to Emily’s case and evaluate the effectiveness of group home protocols, the “Turquoise Alert” program represents a significant step toward enhancing safety for Indigenous children and addressing broader community concerns about missing persons.
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Additional Resources
- NBC News
- Wikipedia: Missing Person
- Fox 10 Phoenix
- Google Search: Turquoise Alert Arizona
- Arizona Mirror
- Google Scholar: Emily’s Law Arizona
- ABC15
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Missing Indigenous People
