NON-EMERGENCY DISPATCH
(209) 223-6513

Victim/Public Notification Programs

VINELink

The California Statewide VINE system is a service through which victims of crime can use the telephone or Internet to search for information regarding the custody status of their offender and to register to receive telephone and e-mail notification when the offender’s custody status changes.

The VINE toll-free number for the California Statewide VINE system is 1-877-411-5588.

VINE now offers a mobile app called VINEMobile. VINEMobile is an on-the-go version of VINE that allows access from your mobile device, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is completely free and anonymous for users.

This service is provided to assist Victims of Crime who have a right to know about their offender's custody status and is provided to you by Sheriff Martin A. Ryan.

Enter the Amador County Sheriff's Office VINELink site.

Megan’s Law

California's Megan's Law provides the public with certain information on the whereabouts of sex offenders so that members of our local communities may protect themselves and their children. Megan's Law is named after seven-year-old Megan Kanka, a New Jersey girl who was raped and killed by a known child molester who had moved across the street from the family without their knowledge. In the wake of the tragedy, the Kanka's sought to have local communities warned about sex offenders in the area. All states now have a form of Megan's Law.

Enter the California’s Megan Law sex offender locator site.

Amber Alerts (Enter the Amber Alert site)

AMBER ALERT empowers law enforcement, the media and the public to combat abduction by sending out immediate, up-to-date information that aids in the child's safe recovery. Using radio, television, the internet, highway information signs, and even cell phone networks, AMBER ALERT gives the public the information needed to locate abducted children.

The AMBER ALERT Program has helped in successfully recovering over one hundred children since it was established statewide in California on July 31, 2002.

Criteria for activating an AMBER Alert. Law enforcement agencies ensure these conditions are met before activating an AMBER ALERT:

The investigating law enforcement agency confirms an abduction has occurred.
The victim is 17 years of age or younger, or has a proven mental or physical disability.
The victim is in imminent danger of serious injury or death.
There is information available that, if provided to the public, could assist in the child's safe recovery.

AMBER ALERT Guidelines

AMBER ALERT may be activated only by law enforcement agencies.
AMBER ALERT is intended only for the most serious, time-critical child abduction cases.
AMBER ALERT is not intended for cases involving runaways or parental abduction, except in life-threatening situations.

History of AMBER ALERT

The AMBER ALERT Program originated in Texas in 1996 after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted and murdered. Texas organized a system that encouraged law enforcement agencies to alert the media following a confirmed child abduction.

California introduced the AMBER ALERT concept in 1999 as a regional program. In 2002 it was adopted statewide after legislation established procedures to assist law enforcement.