NEW ORLEANS, LA — New Orleans City Council Vice President Helena Moreno advanced legislation during today’s Governmental Affairs Committee directing the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) to establish a new local safety alert system designed to locate missing vulnerable children and adults. This legislation is a direct response to the recent heartbreaking situation concerning Bryan Vazquez, who went missing in New Orleans and his case did not meet established requirements for an AMBER alert to be issued.
Although AMBER Alerts and Silver Alerts are vital tools, they are applied with strict guidelines, leaving many at-risk individuals without coverage. Children who do not meet AMBER criteria and adults of all ages with cognitive, developmental, or physical challenges often fall through the cracks. This directive to create a new local alert program aims to close those gaps, providing swift public notification whenever such an individual is reported missing in Orleans Parish. Alerts would be issued through the City’s NOLA Ready platform or a comparable system, operating around the clock.
“At its core, this effort is about dignity, safety, and urgency. No family should ever be told their missing and vulnerable child, parent, or loved one doesn’t qualify for help,” said City Council Vice President Moreno. “In those terrifying moments, every second is precious, and this program could be the lifeline that brings someone’s family member home.”
“Nearly 49% of children with autism attempt to elope at least once after age 4. Of those who eloped, more than half - 53% - went missing long enough to cause serious concern. Perhaps most striking, 91% of deaths in children under 14 with autism are due to drowning, and autistic people are estimated to be about 160 times more likely to drown than neurotypical peers,” said Claire Tibbetts, Executive Director for the Autism Society of Greater New Orleans, at today’s committee hearing. “These numbers tell us that wandering incidents, especially near water, are not rare and are often life threatening. A dedicated alert system is a necessary improvement to our current system, which will make it easier to safeguard vulnerable members of our community. When a person with a disability wanders off, especially near water or in unfamiliar surroundings, every minute counts. A faster response will save lives. The proposed system’s criteria better account for vulnerability, disability, and conditions like autism.”
Vice President Moreno authored the legislation in consultation and partnership with the NOPD, the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP), and the Orleans Parish Communications District (OPCD) with the measure co-authored by the entire City Council.
As NOPD, OPCD, and NOHSEP work collaboratively to establish this alert system, the legislation outlines minimum guidelines for the program, including set definitions for a missing child, senior, or vulnerable adult; standardized activation and cancellation criteria; minimum alert content to include critical details such as physical descriptions, circumstances of disappearance and last known location, and any medical or safety considerations with a link to a website containing complete details and updates; and guidelines ensuring consistency and non-interference with existing AMBER Alert and Silver Alert programs. Once launched, NOPD would publish clear guidance so residents knew how alerts worked and how they could help.
The legislation passed in committee today will appear on the September 25, 2025 consent agenda at the Council’s next regular meeting.