Ebony Alert: Inclusive Search & Safety in LA County
Senate Bill 673's Role in Addressing Missing African American Youths in Los Angeles County
The effectiveness of the Ebony Alert became evident when the first alert in California was issued for a 17-year-old girl in Long Beach. Long Beach Police, with the assistance of the CHP — the California Highway Patrol — disseminated the alert, which ultimately led to the successful and safe location of the missing teen. This quick and positive outcome validated the urgency behind the implementation of Senate Bill 673.
The missing teenager was safely returned home to California thanks to the Ebony Alert system. The system focuses on finding missing Black children and youth aged 12 to 25. The successful return of the teenager was attributed to the collective efforts of the community. However, there were issues with the alert system not being audible on cell phones. The system aims to provide attention to older Black young adults who may have been abducted and targets issues that affect the Black community. California is the first state to prioritize the crisis of missing Black people through the Ebony Alert law.
In a progressive stride toward addressing systemic inequalities, California has set a precedent by enacting Senate Bill 673. Known as the Ebony Alert Bill, this legislation, approved by Governor Gavin Newsom, is specifically designed to serve the African American community by instituting a formal protocol to aid in the swift recovery of missing Black youth.
Senate Bill 673 emerged from a troubling observation: African American youth in Los Angeles County and the broader state of California were disproportionately represented in missing person statistics yet received comparatively less attention from law enforcement and media outlets. Spearheaded by Sen. Steven Bradford and ratified by Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate Bill 673 sought to rectify this negligence by creating a dedicated emergency notification system — the Ebony Alert.
The statistics that prompted the inception of the Ebony Alert are sobering; African Americans make up 14% of the U.S. population yet account for 38% of the children reported missing in the nation. This discrepancy encapsulated the motivation behind the Ebony Alert to address the historical oversight and the immediate and systemic changes needed within public safety protocols.
Los Angeles County is no stranger to confronting inequality and injustice, and it served as the focal point for the rollout of the Ebony Alert. In a region marked by diversity and complexity, traditional alert systems inadequately captured the struggles and experiences of the African American community. The need for a tailored response became undeniably apparent.
The Underpinnings of the Ebony Alert System
Senate Bill 673 is not solely about issuing alerts; the initiative has an educational component. The bill mandates that when Black individuals aged 12 to 25 go missing, the police, including entities such as the Long Beach Police Department and the CHP, are to elevate the case with the same seriousness as others, thereby challenging any inherent biases. Additionally, the system intends to correct the misguided tendency to label missing African American youths as runaways, a label that often leads to delayed searches and rescue efforts.
The Associated Challenges: Stigma and Stereotypes
As with any systemic reform, challenges persist, even with the full support of Governor Newsom and the California legislature. The lingering stigmas and stereotypes attached to missing African Americans still create a potential barrier to the total actualization of the Ebony Alert’s intended purpose. These include misconceptions about African Americans being more inclined to self-initiated disappearances and the police’s historically delayed responses based on such biases.
Police forces across California, empowered by Senate Bill 673, now have the capability and legislative backing to issue Ebony Alerts. This enhancement of law enforcement agencies’ toolkit ushers a greater expectation for accountability and swift action in the face of this specific category of missing persons cases.
The ubiquity of modern technology augments the power of the Ebony Alert. Alerts are conveyed swiftly across cell phones and social media, enabling immediate public engagement. This coverage effectively crowdsources vigilance and has the potential to significantly decrease the time it takes to locate a missing individual.
While the Ebony Alert’s origins are firmly rooted in Los Angeles County and its challenges, the bill’s influence carries potential repercussions beyond the state. Given California’s historic role as a bellwether state, Governor Gavin Newsom’s endorsement of Senate Bill 673 positions the system as a potential model for nationwide adoption.
The ultimate aspiration behind the Ebony Alert is one of hope and protection. It aims to bring about the safe return of missing African American youth and to do so with the rigor and compassion every missing person case deserves. Furthermore, it tackles the social neglect that has plagued the African American community for too long and provides concrete support to those who have suffered in the shadows.
Senate Bill 673, signed by Gavin Newsom, and the resultant Ebony Alert system may be a testament to California’s dedication to equality and justice, particularly within Los Angeles County. The bill brings essential attention to a marginalized group and provides a critical recovery service and a platform for powerfully addressing broader social issues. As this system becomes embedded within the fabric of California’s police protocol, Long Beach and other localities will witness a form of social change that ensures that those who have been voiceless in the past will now be heard.
In embarking on this ambitious initiative, California — led by Governor Newsom and supported by the determination and advocacy of Sen. Bradford and the commitment of law enforcement agencies like the CHP — has illuminated a path forward, crafting a narrative of inclusivity and equity. As Senate Bill 673 matures, it will likely evolve into an integral component of law enforcement, not only within the parameters of California but potentially across the nation, advocating for the security and visibility of every American.
