What is a Turquoise Alert? A Turquoise Alert is a specialized public notification system in Arizona designed to rapidly disseminate information about missing endangered adults under age 65, including tribal members, who have disappeared under suspicious circumstances. Named "Emily's Law" after San Carlos Apache tribal member Emily Pike, it fills a gap between Amber Alerts (for children) and Silver Alerts (for seniors over 65).

Activation Criteria

Law enforcement activates a Turquoise Alert only when strict conditions align, ensuring targeted public help without overuse.

  • The missing person is under 65 and not deemed a simple runaway (unless aggravating factors indicate danger).
  • Disappearance involves unexplained, suspicious, or perilous situations, like being with a dangerous individual.
  • Local resources are exhausted, and public info (e.g., description, photo) could aid safe recovery.
  • Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) coordinates via the emergency alert system, highway signs, and media.

Origin and Recent Developments

Signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs in May 2025 via House Bill 2281, the system honors Emily Pike and addresses needs in Native communities. As of January 2026, it's fully operational under AZDPS, with New Mexico exploring a similar plan. No major activations reported yet, but it's integrated into Arizona's alert lineup alongside Amber and Silver systems.

How It Works in Practice

Once requested by investigators, DPS issues the alert statewide or regionally via 108+ ADOT message boards, apps, TV, radio, and social media. The goal: swift recovery through public tips, emphasizing efficiency over broad alerts. Unlike casual turquoise mentions (e.g., fashion or color trends), this is a serious law enforcement tool.

Trending Context and Comparisons

Forums note confusion with unrelated turquoise trends (e.g., jewelry in Native culture), but legally, it's strictly Arizona's missing persons protocol. Compared to Amber (child abductions) or Silver (elderly), Turquoise targets at-risk adults in peril. No national equivalent exists yet, though states like New Mexico are legislating pilots.

TL;DR: Turquoise Alert notifies the public to find missing endangered adults under 65 in Arizona via rapid statewide broadcasts—active since mid-2025.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.