Cingular, RadioShack Team Up on Missing Children Alerts
Cingular, RadioShack to team up on missing-children alerts By Akweli ParkerINQUIRER STAFF WRITER Cell phone carrier Cingular Wireless said today it is launching a campaign with RadioShack Corp. stores to sign at least 1 million new subscribers nationwide to receive wireless missing-children alerts. Known as AMBER alerts, for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response, the text messages notify subscribers when local law enforcement has determined a child has likely been abducted in their area. Wireless subscribers opt in to the service and there is no charge for receiving AMBER Alert text messages. Users enter up to five zip codes for which to receive local alerts. Cingular said sign-up information and assistance for its customers will be available in Radio Shack stores; customers also can sign up directly from their wireless handsets. Sprint, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile and other carriers also participate in the Wireless AMBER Alerts program, which was started last May by the wireless phone industry and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/13592512.htm