Community leaders advocate for introduction of ‘Ebony Alert’ system in New York

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — There is a new push here in Western New York to bring the “Ebony Alert” system to New York State.

You are probably very familiar with the AMBER Alert for children or the Silver Alert for missing elderly people. In California, there is also an “Ebony Alert” to notify the public when a black person goes missing.

Here in Buffalo, many people are advocating for the Ebony Alert system following the recent discovery of Jaylen Griffin’s body, years after his disappearance. Griffin was just 12 years old when he went missing in 2020. His body was found in the attic of a home in Buffalo last month.

WATCH: ‘I’m in pain’: Family and friends say goodbye to Jaylen Griffin, boy missing since 2020

Family and friends say goodbye to Jaylen Griffin, boy missing since 2020

“They are often listed as runaways, which would use 40 percent of the resources than if they were a simple missing person,” says Kareema Morris, founder of Bury The Violence, which helps find children missing and on the run.

Morris believes that if an Amber Alert had been issued, Griffin would still be alive today.

Morris is working to bring the Ebony Alert System to New York.

“The Ebony Alert campaign would include Black people and young teens who are missing or considered runaways. This would give us the opportunity to be pushed rather than pushed aside,” says Morris.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, nearly 40 percent of people reported missing each year are black or African American, but it says they receive less media coverage and are often referred to as “runaways,” so no Amber Alert is issued.

Morris also explains that the Amber Alert “does not include the different age groups where several women have gone missing and there was no alert for them.” On-the-ground efforts have been made by community organizations with little engagement from law enforcement.

California established the nation’s first-ever Ebony Alert system in 2023, and Morris hopes New York will be next.

“With the alert you will receive a push notification. Not everyone is on social media, not everyone watches the news, but if you mess with someone’s phone you will get their attention,” Morris explains.

She is urging more people to sign a petition in support of new legislation. You can find out more here.

Dontaya Davis and Rev. Denise Walden-Glenn joined 7 Voices on Wednesday to discuss the importance of efforts to bring the Ebony Alert system to New York as well. You can watch the full conversation below.

‘Our children’s lives are at stake’: Efforts to bring Ebony Alert to New York State