California just started using an “AMBER Alert” system, which broadcasts messages on those freeway traffic signs to alert the public that a child kidnapping has taken place. What do you know - barely a day or two into the system, a kidnapper was tracked down with the girls he had just abducted still in his car. The sheriff thinks the guy was on his way to kill and bury the girls in the desert when they caught up with him. The kidnapper was shot and killed; can’t say I’m sorry.
What a great idea! What other states use this? I know we’re not the first.
Ummm, not to be the voice of pessimism or anything… Was this guy really caught as a direct result of informative street signs or was this just a handy coincidence? I don’t know a lot about the AMBER Alert system, but from the way you describe it, I fail to see how it offers a significant advantage over standard police radios. Don’t get me wrong-- I’m quite pleased the scuzz was shot and the girls rescued. I just don’t “get” this new alert system.
Here’s another story on the subject, which clarifies that in this case, yes, the signs were instrumental in helping to catch the kidnapper. A highway worker, after reading the sign, saw the car pass moments later and reported it to police. Later on, more people who had read the signs again reported it to police, and helped them zero in on the guy before he had the chance to kill the girls. An amazing story.
Whoops, a little research about the [AMBER Alert](http://www.missingkids.com/html/amberplan.html#what is the amber plan) and I now see its value. A more comprehensive plan than I originally thought. To answer the OP, here in CO we were the 9th state to implement this plan on 7/29 (guess I wasn’t paying attention).
I like it. Get out there and kill those child-molesters! 
Too bad those poor girls were raped before they shot the guy. IMO he got off too easy…
I went to that site and found a list of municipalities that have enacted AMBER or similar plans.