Silver Alert notifies drivers of missing, endangered elders

OLYMPIA — Drivers in Washington will now see alerts on highway signs when authorities are searching for an older adult who is missing and believed to be in danger because of their health.

Under a notification system that went into effect Thursday, a Silver Alert will be issued when a person who is 60 or older and battling dementia or Alzheimer’s goes missing.

Information on a vehicle in which they may be traveling will be posted on freeway signs and possibly in highway advisory radio messages. Details on their last known whereabouts also may be included.

The Washington State Patrol and state Department of Transportation will coordinate the content and dissemination of messages.

“This is another effective tool to get people home safe to their families faster,” said state patrol spokeswoman Maggie Booker.

Patrick O’Neil became a vocal supporter of a Silver Alert system after his mother, who lived in Everett and was in the early stage of dementia, went missing and died before she was found.

Ethel O’Neil, 89, disappeared July 16, 2014. Her body was discovered 28 days later in her car, which had run off a private road near Lake Stevens. It was learned later that she had stopped at two locations to ask for directions, but authorities did not know this at the time.

“It may have been different had the Silver Alert been in place like other states. She may have been found,” O’Neil said in June after watching Gov. Jay Inslee sign the legislation creating the system. “Anything that would get (information) out there would be important. It took six days to get information out on my mom.”

Washington has the “Endangered Missing Person Advisory Plan” for people believed to be in danger because of age, health or mental or physical disability. Under this plan, the state patrol disseminates information to local law enforcement agencies when such a person goes missing.

The Silver Alert system will now let the public know as well. It will operate much like the Amber Alert system for abducted children except the emergency broadcast system will not be activated for missing adults as it is for children.

Content of each alert may vary depending on the size of the highway sign, officials said. Generally, information will be posted on a vehicle’s make, model and color as well as license plate and state.

Alerts will appear on signs in the area where a person went missing and can be posted statewide if requested, transportation officials said.

State Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, championed a Silver Alert system for several years.

“We hope that it will never be needed but will be there when we do need it and will help us save lives,” Bailey said Friday. “We want to find people as quickly as possible. We hope to never see a repeat of the situation that happened in Snohomish County.”

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Girl, 11, missing from Lynnwood

Sha’niece Watson’s family is concerned for her safety, according to the sheriff’s office. She has ties to Whidbey Island.

A cyclist crosses the road near the proposed site of a new park, left, at the intersection of Holly Drive and 100th Street SW on Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett to use $2.2M for Holly neighborhood’s first park

The new park is set to double as a stormwater facility at the southeast corner of Holly Drive and 100th Street SW.

The Grand Avenue Park Bridge elevator after someone set off a fire extinguisher in the elevator last week, damaging the cables and brakes. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Grand Avenue Park Bridge vandalized, out of service at least a week

Repairs could cost $5,500 after someone set off a fire extinguisher in the elevator on April 27.

Riaz Khan finally won office in 2019 on his fifth try. Now he’s running for state Legislature. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Ex-Democrat leader from Mukilteo switches parties to run for state House

Riaz Khan resigned from the 21st Legislative District Democrats and registered to run as a Republican, challenging Rep. Strom Peterson.

Shirley Sutton
Sutton resigns from Lynnwood council, ‘effective immediately’

Part of Sutton’s reason was her “overwhelming desire” to return home to the Yakima Valley.

Michelle Bennett Wednesday afternoon during a meet-and-greet with Edmonds Police Chief finalists at the Edmonds Library on August 4, 2021.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Edmonds police chief accidentally fires gun inside police vehicle

Michelle Bennett was at a city fueling facility when her gun went off. Nobody was injured. Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen was reviewing the incident.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Darrington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Gunshot prompts massive police response near Darrington; ends peacefully

A man wanted for robbery fired a shot when deputies converged. Authorities shut down Highway 530 near Darrington. No deputies were injured.

Everett
Dog rescued, 10 displaced after apartment fire south of Everett

Fire crews rescued a dog from the third floor of an apartment building, where sprinklers confined the fire.

Marysville
Marysville man arrested in alleged murder conspiracy in Anacortes

Jesse Michael Allen, of Marysville, is the fifth suspect police believe participated in an alleged kidnapping in September.

Construction occurs at 16104 Cascadian Way in Bothell, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
What Snohomish County ZIP codes have seen biggest jumps in home value?

Mill Creek, for one. As interest rates remain high and supplies are low, buyers could have trouble in today’s housing market.

Rylee Fink, 3, left, stomps through the sand while other children run through the water during a low tide at Howarth Park on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Stock up on sunblock: Highs in 80s could be coming to Snohomish County

Everett could hit a high of 79 on Saturday. Farther inland, temperatures could reach as high as 86 this weekend.

Neighbors stand in Lisa Jansson’s yard to get a view of the wall of processed wood remains, or “hog fuel,” building up along the property’s border with DTG on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
After complaints, county shuts down DTG’s Maltby recycling facility

For months, neighbors have reported constant noise and pollution at the facility. By July 15, DTG must stop accepting material there.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.