The Mississippi Public Service Commission (MPSC) recently announced the establishment of a strategic alliance with law enforcement agencies and utility organizations to provide additional resources for the state’s AMBER Alert program.
Led by Southern District Commissioner Wayne Carr, the initiative recognizes the critical role that utility workers can play in resolving AMBER Alerts. Many utility professionals — like utility linemen and utility operators — perform their job duties
outdoors by streets and residential areas, which provides a unique opportunity for these professionals to spot individuals and vehicles included in an AMBER Alert.
“Given the nature of their jobs, utility representatives can play a crucial part in our state’s AMBER Alert program by recognizing the signs of child abduction and understanding how to best respond in these types of situations,” Carr said in a news release. “We are excited to create a partnership with statewide law enforcement agencies and utility organizations in order to provide safety education to utility crews and to contribute to Mississippi’s strong AMBER Alert network.”
Through this innovative partnership, the MPSC, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the Attorney General’s Office, electric cooperatives, water companies, and natural gas providers will collaborate to educate utility employees on the state’s AMBER Alert program and train them to recognize the signs of child abduction.
Additionally, a social media campaign and the distribution of informative materials will accompany the utility training program, further disseminating this initiative’s goals and messages to residents across Mississippi.
