🚨 What Is the Turquoise Alert?
Arizona established the Turquoise Alert system in 2025 through Emily’s Law to help locate individuals under the age of 65 who go missing under suspicious or dangerous circumstances. It aims to address gaps in existing systems and particularly focuses on the disappearances of Indigenous individuals, who are often underrepresented in law enforcement responses.
🧭 Activation Requirements
For a Turquoise Alert to be activated, all of the following conditions must be met:
- The individual is under 65 years old
- Disappearance is suspicious or unexplained
- The individual is believed to be in danger or with someone dangerous
- Information exists that could help locate them
- Local law enforcement resources have been exhausted
Police must also enter the case into the NCIC database.
🔔 How Are Alerts Broadcast?
Once issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS), Turquoise Alerts are sent using:
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to smartphones
- Emergency Alert System (EAS) for TV and radio
- Highway message boards via Arizona DOT
- DPS Alerts website and social media
🎥 The Role of Safety and Photo Enforcement Cameras
Photo enforcement cameras—such as those featured on PhotoEnforced.com—can significantly aid in Turquoise Alert investigations:
- License Plate Recognition (LPR): Many red light and speed cameras record license plates that can help track suspect vehicles.
- Timestamped Footage: Video data from traffic cameras can confirm locations and timelines of the missing person or suspect.
- Wide Coverage: Cameras in urban areas like Phoenix and Tucson provide excellent surveillance for vehicle movement tracking.
- Cross-Jurisdiction Sharing: Law enforcement agencies can request footage from nearby jurisdictions to expand search efforts.
With more than 1,000 camera-monitored intersections in Arizona, safety cameras serve as a digital witness in many emergency cases.
📍 Case Example: First Turquoise Alert
On July 24, 2025, Arizona activated its first Turquoise Alert for six-year-old Violet Coultas-Benson, believed to be in danger in Phoenix. She was later found safe in Hawaii thanks to tips from the public. You can read the story here.
🆚 How It Compares to Other Alerts
| Alert Type | Target Group | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Amber Alert | Under 18 | Child abductions with verified imminent danger |
| Silver Alert | 65+ or disabled | Adults with cognitive impairments or health risks |
| Turquoise Alert | Under 65 | Suspicious disappearances with suspected danger |
🔍 Why This Alert Matters
- Addresses Indigenous disappearances: Supports missing persons from communities historically ignored.
- Leverages technology: Combines digital tools like traffic cameras and WEA to increase success rates.
- Engages the public: Real-time notifications allow people to look out for vehicles or individuals.
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✅ Conclusion
Arizona’s Turquoise Alert system provides a much-needed tool for locating vulnerable missing persons. When paired with the widespread use of photo enforcement cameras, investigators gain powerful, real-time intelligence on vehicle movement and potential suspects. In cases where every second counts, combining public alerts and surveillance infrastructure can make all the difference.