Florida and Rhode Island, two states hundreds of miles apart, are now joined by a common thread: the urgent need to protect vulnerable adults who go missing. In recent weeks, both states have activated their Purple Alert systems—public notifications designed to rapidly spread the word when adults with certain disabilities disappear. The stories behind these alerts, and the systems themselves, reveal both the promise and the challenges of safeguarding some of society’s most at-risk individuals.
On March 24, 2026, Florida’s Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) issued a Purple Alert for William Pickett, a 67-year-old man last seen in the Leesburg area of Lake County. According to Boca Post, Pickett is described as a white male with blonde hair and blue eyes, standing about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing approximately 180 pounds. The alert, which remains active, notes that Pickett was last spotted wearing camouflage shorts and an unknown-colored shirt. Adding to the urgency, he may be traveling in a 2019 bronze Hyundai Santa Fe, Florida tag number IWZL88, and has a tattoo of a panther on one of his arms.
The Florida Purple Alert system is not just a digital poster—it’s a coordinated, statewide call to action. As USA TODAY Network-Florida explains, the alert is designed for missing adults suffering from mental, cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities that are not related to Alzheimer’s or dementia. The law, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on July 1, 2021, set clear criteria for when and how such an alert can be activated. Only law enforcement agencies can request a Purple Alert, and only after they determine that the disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or serious bodily harm, and that the person can only be returned to safety through law enforcement intervention.
For Pickett’s family and the wider Leesburg community, the system offers a glimmer of hope. The FDLE’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse, which posts and distributes Purple Alerts, has urged anyone with information to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 352-343-2101 or call 911. The agency also encourages residents to sign up for email notifications, ensuring that alerts reach as many eyes as possible, as quickly as possible.
But Florida isn’t alone in grappling with the complexities of missing-person cases involving adults with disabilities. Rhode Island recently made headlines for launching its own Purple Alert system, a move inspired by tragedy and driven by a desire to prevent it from happening again. As reported by WJAR and other local outlets, the system was born out of the heartbreaking case of a 45-year-old autistic woman who went missing in Cranston last year. She was found several days later, curled up in the back of a car—a discovery that left the community shaken and lawmakers determined to act.
Rhode Island’s Purple Alert, implemented in early 2026, is a collaborative effort between local police, state authorities, and advocacy groups. When an adult with disabilities is reported missing and the case meets the alert’s criteria, local police work with state police and emergency management teams to issue a broadcast. The notification is then disseminated widely—appearing on highway message boards, local TV and radio, and across social media platforms. Cranston Police Major Todd Patalano, who was instrumental in developing the legislation, stressed the importance of public vigilance. “We can put out a broadcast, and this person has a very high likelihood of being found expeditiously,” Patalano told WJAR. He urged the public to treat Purple Alerts with the same seriousness as Amber or Silver Alerts: “When you see a Purple Alert, an Amber Alert, a Silver Alert, we want people to pay attention and start looking.”
The system’s first real-world test came on March 16, 2026, when a 16-year-old boy went missing in Smithfield. Local law enforcement, working with Rhode Island Emergency Management and state police, quickly issued a Purple Alert. The outcome was encouraging—a Rhode Island Energy employee spotted the teenager on Douglas Pike and flagged down officers searching the area. While it’s unclear whether the alert itself directly led to the tip, officials and advocates agree that heightened public awareness played a pivotal role in the boy’s safe recovery.
However, the rollout wasn’t without its bumps. The Ocean State Center for Independent Living, an advocacy group, noted that not all aspects of the Purple Alert system were fully utilized during the Smithfield case. In a statement to NBC 10 News, the organization said, “It does not appear that all components of the PURPLE alert notification system were fully utilized in this situation, particularly the broad public notification aspect.” They added that the incident “raises important questions about implementation.”
Major Patalano acknowledged these concerns, pointing out that “as with any case, there’s always going to be kinks.” He expressed confidence that, with time and experience, the system would become more effective and responsive. “I’m confident alerts will be issued quickly when needed,” he said, reflecting a sentiment echoed by many officials and community members alike.
Both Florida and Rhode Island’s Purple Alert systems share a common goal: to mobilize the public and law enforcement in the search for missing adults with disabilities. The alerts are tailored to cases where the individual’s disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or serious harm, and where a coordinated response can make all the difference. In Florida, the criteria are explicit—adults 18 or older with qualifying disabilities, whose cases do not meet the requirements for a Silver Alert, and where a detailed description is available for distribution. Rhode Island’s approach, while similar, places a strong emphasis on multi-channel public notification and rapid coordination between agencies.
Despite the challenges and growing pains, early results suggest that Purple Alerts can be a powerful tool for recovery. The Smithfield case in Rhode Island and the ongoing search for William Pickett in Florida both illustrate how quickly information can spread when the public is engaged. Yet, as advocates remind us, these systems are only as effective as their implementation. Ensuring that every component—from highway signs to social media posts—is activated in a timely manner remains a work in progress.
For families waiting for news, every minute counts. The hope is that, as Purple Alert systems evolve and expand, more missing individuals will be found swiftly and safely. In the meantime, authorities across both states continue to urge the public: if you see a Purple Alert, pay attention, and if you have information, don’t hesitate to reach out to law enforcement. Sometimes, a single tip can mean the difference between heartbreak and a happy reunion.