WASHINGTON, June 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After responding to a Wireless AMBER Alert that safely returned an abducted child to her family, LaJohnna Greenwood of Federal Way, Washington was honored with a VITA™ Wireless Samaritan Award. During the 17th Annual Achievement Awards dinner on Monday, June 6 in Washington, D.C., Greenwood was recognized for her efforts by The Wireless Foundation and CTIA-The Wireless Association®.
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LaJohnna Greenwood signed up to receive AMBER alerts on her cellphone, but she never thought she would help in rescuing an abducted child. While working as a store clerk, LaJohnna noticed a man with a girl who matched the description of an AMBER alert and called police. Although the man and girl had left by the time police arrived, officers used the store's surveillance tapes and credit card records to locate and arrest the kidnapper. Officers discovered that he had been lurking around the playground at a nearby elementary school in recent weeks, talking to children and taking their pictures. Thanks to LaJohnna, he is in jail and the girl has been returned to her family.
"As inaugural supporters of Wireless AMBER Alerts since its inception in 2006, we know the first three hours after a child has been abducted are the most critical in recovery efforts. With almost 303 million wireless subscribers in the United States, cellphones play an important role in alerting consumers with information about a missing child and mean law enforcement can get almost real-time leads. LaJohnna's story is a perfect example of how mobile devices and Wireless AMBER Alerts can help save a child. I am proud to recognize her with the VITA Wireless Samaritan Award," said Steve Largent, president of The Wireless Foundation and president and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association.
The awards are presented annually to recognize Americans who used wireless technology to save lives, stop crime and help in other emergency situations. Recipients are the epitome of good Samaritans who put safety first and use wireless to help those in need. With more than 300,000 wireless phone calls made to 911 every day, the awards also reinforce the crucial role wireless technology plays in emergencies.
Thanks to her lifesaving actions, LaJohnna Greenwood was selected by a panel of law enforcement and emergency response representatives. There were nine VITA Wireless Samaritan Award recipients from across the nation.
The Wireless Foundation is a non-profit organization that was formed by member companies of CTIA-The Wireless Association® in 1991.
The Foundation oversees a number of programs designed to put wireless technology to work addressing the challenges of society.
SOURCE The Wireless Foundation
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