Arizona’s Turquoise Alert activated once since July launch

The Arizona Department of Public Safety said the state’s new Turquoise Alert system is functioning as intended despite being activated only once since July, according to the Arizona Luminaria.

The alert, created under House Bill 2281 and renamed in honor of 14-year-old San Carlos Apache teen Emily Pike, was designed to reach missing persons who do not qualify for Amber or Silver Alerts. Sgt. Kim Love-Ness said the alert’s limited use reflects the narrow scope established in state law, not underuse.

DPS told Arizona Luminaria each request for activation undergoes a strict review process, and most do not meet all legal criteria. The agency added that issuing alerts outside those parameters could “dilute public responsiveness and reduce overall system effectiveness.”