Gore thanks veterans for their service, reminds Hoosiers of the Green Alert system

State Rep. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement reminding Hoosiers about the Green Alert system in honor of Veterans Day: 

“The nation pauses on Nov. 11 every year to honor military veterans for their brave and selfless service to the United States of America. We owe veterans our deepest gratitude and respect for putting their lives at risk to defend the sacred principles of freedom and democracy.

“As Hoosiers take a moment to thank the veterans in their lives and their communities, I want to remind everyone of a new program in our state designed to enhance the safety of Hoosier veterans. 

“This past legislative session, I was immensely proud to have passed a bill to establish a statewide Green Alert system that went into effect on July 1 of this year. The Green Alert notifies the public when an at-risk veteran goes missing. This allows law enforcement and the community to go into the situation fully informed and with an added sense of urgency as veterans suffering from conditions such as PTSD are more likely to be experiencing a mental health crisis when they go missing.

“Those who fought for us deserve a state that supports and protects them when they come home. To all of our veterans: thank you for your sacrifice, thank you for your valor, and thank you for your service.” 

For information about what to do if an at-risk veteran in your life goes missing, visit the Green Alert homepage here.

Gore, IMPD celebrate first Green Alert resulting in successful location of a missing veteran

On Monday (Sept. 16), a statewide Green Alert was issued following the disappearance of a veteran in Southwest Indianapolis. As of yesterday (Sept. 19), 44-year-old Justin Cavin has been safely located by detectives from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD). During the 2024 legislative session, State Rep. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis) authored House Enrolled Act 1021 to establish the statewide Green Alert system for missing, at-risk veterans. This week marks the first successful use of the Green Alert System since it launched on July 1 of this year. 

“When I authored House Enrolled Act 1021, I knew that if it helped bring one at-risk veteran home safely then all of my time in the General Assembly would be well worth it,” Gore said. “The safety of Hoosier veterans should be a top priority for the state, and creating an alert lets our veterans and their families know that if they go missing, we will find them. This week, we saw the Green Alert system used to bring a veteran home to their loved ones.

“I am so thankful that we were able to safely locate Mr. Cavin after his disappearance earlier this week. Specifically, I want to thank Indiana State Police's missing person clearinghouse and the detectives of the IMPD for working together to successfully administer the first Green Alert. Getting this law passed and signed into effect was important, but for it to have a positive impact in Hoosiers' lives, we needed the leadership of our public safety agencies to put it into action with care and precision, just as they did here. It's important that we care for and support our veterans both at home and abroad.” 

 “This first-ever green alert highlights the crucial role we all play in protecting our veterans. I am incredibly relieved that Mr. Cavin has been located safe. This successful outcome demonstrates the power of community awareness and collaboration by law enforcement agencies,” said Chief Chris Bailey. 

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Gore celebrates the start of Indiana’s ‘Green Alert’ for missing, at-risk veterans

Monday, July 1, a number of laws passed during the 2024 legislative session will go into effect – including HEA 1021. This law establishes a “Green Alert” which notifies law enforcement and the public that a missing person is an at-risk veteran. 

State Rep. Mitch Gore (D-Indianapolis), author of HEA 1021, issued the following statement:

“I am so glad that this critical measure to enhance the safety of Hoosier veterans is officially available. Establishing a Green Alert sends the message to veterans that if they go missing, the state will put everything we have into finding them. 

“Indiana’s veteran suicide rate is almost 5% higher than the national average according to the 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report. We know that veterans struggling with PTSD are more likely to be experiencing a mental health crisis if they go missing. Adding this alert system specifically for at-risk veterans adds a sense of urgency and allows law enforcement and the public to go into the situation fully informed. 

“Our veterans risk their lives defending American freedom and democracy, and they deserve the best services available to keep them safe when they return. The Green Alert system will save lives.”

For information about what to do if an at-risk veteran in your life goes missing, visit the new Green Alert homepage here. 

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