If you receive a text message from this number, it’s not a scam. Photo: ACT Policing.
ACT Policing has used the Emergency Alert system for the very first time to help them find a missing person.
The 77-year-old Pearce woman was reported missing by her family on Tuesday (October 17) afternoon.
She wasn’t found during a search of the area, and a media release and social media posts were issued to enlist the community’s help.
As concerns for her welfare rose, a geo-located SMS Emergency Alert was issued at about 10:15 pm to more than 60,000 mobile phones in the Woden area.
The missing woman was found shortly before 11 pm in bushland in the Mount Taylor Nature Reserve near Chifley.
A member of the public who lived nearby received the alert and decided to check outside, locating her a short time later.
Canberrans have been asked to save the number ‘0444 444 444’ into their phones under Emergency Alert so they’re not caught off guard when an alert is issued.
ACT Policing may use the system for emergencies such as high-risk missing persons, terrorist incidents, active offender incidents, or Amber Alerts, while the ACT Emergency Services Agency will continue to use the Emergency Alert system for incidents including fire, floods, or significant storms.
This number is not monitored. Please do not report information about incidents to this number. Continue to report information to Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000, Police Assistance 131 444 or call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
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