How North Dakota Is Enhancing Its Missing Persons Alerts

Starting August 1, 2025, North Dakota will expand its public alert system to include two new types of alerts aimed at locating missing endangered adults. These additions reflect the state’s ongoing commitment to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities—and knowing how they work could help save a life.

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What Are Public Alerts?

North Dakota uses a range of alert systems to notify the public when someone goes missing and may be in danger. These alerts are only issued when law enforcement determines the case meets specific criteria. Here’s a quick refresher on the existing alerts:

AMBER Alert: For abducted children 17 or younger.
Blue Alert: Issued when a law enforcement officer has been injured or killed and the suspect is at large.
Silver Alert: For missing vulnerable adults, often seniors with medical or cognitive conditions.

Two New Alerts Go Live August 1

This year, two more critical alerts will be added to the system:

Feather Alert: For missing, endangered, or abducted Indigenous adults.
MEP (Missing Endangered Person) Alert: For other missing endangered or abducted adults who do not fall under existing alert types.

These additions recognize the disproportionate impact of disappearances on Indigenous communities and aim to cover gaps that previously left certain cases without a public alert option.

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What You Can Do

Time matters. The quicker a disappearance is reported, the greater the chances of a safe return. Only law enforcement can issue a public alert, so it’s critical to contact them right away if a loved one goes missing under suspicious or dangerous circumstances.

Check your phone today. Make sure emergency alerts are turned ON in your phone’s settings. When someone is in danger, every pair of eyes matters—and you could be the one to help bring someone home.

To learn more about these alerts and how they work, click here.