Oct 20, 2025 - News

Arizona replaces Silver Alert with expanded SAFE Alert

Jessica Boehm

Tweet announcing Arizona's new SAFE Alert replaces Silver Alert, protecting all vulnerable missing persons, with detailed criteria and public safety information in the attached graphic. — Screenshot: @missingNamerica/X

The Silver Alert system designed to help find missing senior citizens has been replaced with a new, expanded program dubbed the SAFE Alert, or Seek And Find Alert.

Why it matters: The previous alert system had a 98% success rate, with most missing individuals located within 18 hours, The Arizona Republic reported.

State of play: SAFE Alerts, which took effect on Sept. 26, will be issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety for missing individuals age 65 and older and those who have been diagnosed with a developmental and cognitive disability, dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

How it works: Information about the missing person will be distributed through the state's Emergency Alert System (which is sent to local broadcasters) and displayed on Arizona Department of Transportation billboards.

Between the lines: Arizona also instituted a new Turquoise Alert program earlier this year for people who go missing under mysterious circumstances. There is no age or health requirement for a Turquoise Alert.

It was designed to aid in finding missing Indigenous people but can be issued for any missing endangered person in the state.

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Arizona replaces Silver Alert with expanded SAFE Alert

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