In a significant development, the New Mexico Senate has unanimously passed Senate Bill 41, known as the Turquoise Alert Bill. This legislation aims to enhance public safety by establishing a new alert system specifically for missing Indigenous individuals in New Mexico. The bill received full support with a 39-0 vote.

The Turquoise Alert is designed to address the high rates of abductions and disappearances among Native American women and children. It will expand the state's existing alert system to ensure that missing persons are located quickly while increasing community awareness and involvement.

Senator Angel Charley, who sponsored the bill, emphasized its importance: "The passage of the Turquoise Act marks a pivotal victory in the fight against the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People." She added that it represents "a commitment to action" by uniting law enforcement, media, and the public to respond swiftly when an Indigenous person goes missing.

The alert system will function similarly to other systems like Amber Alerts but will include guidelines tailored for Indigenous communities. It also seeks to improve communication between law enforcement agencies, local communities, and tribal authorities.

New Mexico Secretary of Indian Affairs Josett Monette highlighted the urgency of such measures: "In New Mexico on any given day, we know that there are hundreds of missing Native Americans. We also know that the first 48 hours are crucial to finding someone."

Advocacy groups and tribal leaders have long advocated for measures like this due to high rates of violent crime affecting Indigenous populations. The bill now moves to the New Mexico House of Representatives for consideration.

Information from this article can be found here.