Who must recommend the activation of an Amber Alert?

The activation of an Amber Alert is primarily the responsibility of the local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction. This agency is in the best position to assess the situation regarding a reported child abduction and is equipped to determine if the criteria for an Amber Alert are met. The urgency associated with missing children situations necessitates a quick and localized response, which local law enforcement can provide effectively. They can quickly gather critical information, coordinate the response, and ensure that the alert is disseminated swiftly to the appropriate channels, maximizing the chances of locating the child.

In this context, while other organizations such as FDLE, FBI, and FCIC may be involved later in support or oversight roles, the initial recommendation and activation process for the Amber Alert system relies on the assessment of the local agency that is directly managing the incident.