Arizona Launches Turquoise Alert System to Find Missing Individuals

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Arizona launches the Turquoise Alert system for missing persons

News Summary

Arizona has launched the Turquoise Alert system to assist in locating missing vulnerable individuals, particularly in Native American communities. This new initiative fills a critical gap in resources for persons aged 18-65 who disappear under suspicious circumstances. Implementation of the system is part of a legislative effort to address the crisis of missing Indigenous individuals, with community leaders highlighting its significance. The Turquoise Alert, aimed at improving safety and response within Tribal communities, is formally recognized as ‘Emily’s Law’ after a tragic local case.

Phoenix, Arizona — Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced the official launch of the Turquoise Alert system, aimed at locating missing vulnerable individuals throughout the state, particularly among Native American populations. The announcement, made on Thursday, marks a critical step in addressing the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people.

The Turquoise Alert system, which can be activated for individuals under 65 years old who have gone missing under unclear or suspicious circumstances, will aid in swiftly disseminating essential information to help locate these individuals, particularly when they may be in danger or potentially with a dangerous person. Previously, Arizona lacked an alert system for individuals aged 18 to 65, creating a gap in the resources available for assisting with cases of missing persons.

Implementation Details

The DPS began implementing the Turquoise Alert system earlier in 2025, following bipartisan legislation that was signed into law by Governor Hobbs in May. This new initiative is particularly significant for Tribal communities, which represent a demographic that has faced extraordinary challenges related to safety and security.

The announcement took place at the DPS headquarters in Phoenix, with various key figures in attendance, including Vice President Paul Russell of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Lt. Col. Deston Coleman of the DPS, and Matt Giordano, the executive director of AZPOST. The creation of the Turquoise Alert program has been directly influenced by the tragic disappearance and death of San Carlos Apache teenager Emily Pike, with the alert system formally recognized as “Emily’s Law.”

Activation Process and Expectations

To activate a Turquoise Alert, local law enforcement must provide sufficient descriptive information that can assist in recovering the missing person. Additionally, there must be evidence indicating that local resources have been exhausted in the search for the individual. By leveraging existing technology, such as the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alert system, the information will be circulated through various channels, including social media and vehicle message boards.

The DPS anticipates that it will issue approximately 15-30 Turquoise Alerts each year, although this number may rise as awareness and education around the alert system increases within the community.

Significance for Indigenous Communities

Indigenous leaders have expressed strong support for the launch of the Turquoise Alert system, citing its importance in enhancing safety and response mechanisms within Tribal communities. Arizona has one of the highest rates of unresolved cases involving missing Indigenous individuals in the country, with more than 10,600 Indigenous people reported missing in 2023 alone. This statistic underscores the urgent need for systemic support and effective communication channels to aid in the recovery of missing individuals.

Conclusion

The introduction of the Turquoise Alert system represents a significant advancement in Arizona’s efforts to protect vulnerable populations, particularly within Indigenous communities. By providing a structured response mechanism to assist in the search for missing individuals, Arizona aims to improve safety outcomes and address the critical issue of missing Indigenous people head-on.