Florida rolling out new Purple Alert system in July

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) will roll out a new alert system in July designed to help authorities locate missing adults with mental or developmental disabilities. 

The Purple Alert, like other programs, will notify the public via an emergency alert. The alert will also notify supermarkets and gas stations and will publish onto highway message boards.

Gov. Ron DeSantis last year authorized the new alert system, which further applies to missing individuals with a brain injury or emotional disability. Boynton Beach Democratic Sen. Lori Berman and Rep. Joseph Casello sponsored the proposal.

'Don't overlook us':Slow Amber Alert rollout reflects missing, murdered Indigenous crisis

What was that Florida Blue Alert?:Four things to know about the alerts

In case you missed it:Here's how to get help and send automatic alerts to loved ones on your phone

According to a bill analysis, wandering poses a major threat to the welfare of someone with a mental disability. The death rate of someone missing more than 72 hours with a mental disability is as high as 88%. 

Florida uses various alert systems to notify the public of missing or endangered people. 

AMBER alerts warn of a child abduction while SILVER alerts are used in the event of a missing elderly person with mental deterioration. BLUE alerts, meanwhile, are used when someone kills or seriously injures a law enforcement officer and flees the scene. 

In either event, the alerts are designed to help law enforcement locate missing or endangered people. 

"Purple Alerts engage the public in the search for the missing person and provide a standardized and coordinated community response," explains the FDLE website. 

According to the Justice Department, AMBER alerts nationwide have led to the recovery of more than 1,100 children. Florida in 2020 ranked second in the nation with the most AMBER alerts (18), behind Texas with 42.

Meanwhile, law enforcement since 2008 has recovered more than 300 missing persons in Florida using SILVER alerts, according to FDLE.

Floridians can register online receive emergency notifications.

Jason Delgado is a reporter for the USA Today Network-Florida. He's based in Tallahassee. Reach him at JDelgado@gannett.com