Some people in the metro might have been extra groggy this morning after an expected late night emergency alert sent to everyone’s phones.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A late-night emergency alert that jolted many New Mexicans awake has prompted both criticism and reflection from the public and police, after a missing man was later found dead in Socorro County.
At 12:45 a.m. Thursday, a Silver Alert was sent to cell phones across Bernalillo and Sandoval counties. The alert described a 77-year-old man last seen near Bernalillo around 8 a.m. the day before. It included a description of the vehicle he was driving and asked anyone who spotted him to call 911.
While the alert proved effective – a truck driver recognized the vehicle and alerted authorities – many recipients were left confused by the language and startled by the timing.
“We didn’t have any idea what it was about. And after reading it, we still didn’t know,” said Gary Brightbill. “We had no idea if that person was missing because they were ill because of dementia – or was he a criminal and they were trying to catch him. They didn’t indicate one way or another.”
Another resident, Peggie Chavez, said the alert lacked context.
“It was kind of vague. I didn’t understand if it was someone we should be wary of or if they needed help,” said Chavez.
New Mexico State Police say the criticism is understandable, but stress that the alert achieved its goal. NMSP Sgt. Ricardo Breceda confirmed the man was found dead after the truck driver reported spotting the vehicle on I-25 in Socorro County. Breceda did not disclose how the man died, but emphasized the importance of such alerts.
“Just asking people to empathize with these families,” Breceda said. “If it was their loved one, they would want law enforcement to do everything in their power to find them.”
State police say the alert was not a mistake. Though the man was last seen at 8 a.m., authorities did not receive a missing person’s report until just after midnight. Within an hour, the alert was issued to nearby counties – likely the area where the truck driver received it.
The case comes just one day after police announced a new policy: issuing Silver Alerts for missing adults over 50 and Turquoise Alerts for missing Native Americans directly to mobile phones – similar to Amber Alerts for children.
Breceda said the department is reviewing the wording and delivery of the alert to avoid confusion in the future.
“We want to make sure we are delivering the necessary information to the public,” said Breceda.
Leave a Reply