How effective are Amber Alerts?

Drivers pass a display showing an Amber Alert, asking motorists to be on the lookout for a specific vehicle Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013, in San Diego. The husband of a woman whose body was found in a burned house near the U.S.-Mexico border said Tuesday that he knew the man suspected of killing his wife and abducting one or both of their children. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

The use of widespread text messaging continues to reverberate. Many Californians complained the text that went out in the late evening was disruptive, and some crime experts are questioning the effectiveness of Amber Alerts.

San Diego-area teen Hannah Anderson is back home with relatives, after her abduction last week.

State leaders are pointing to the value of the Amber Alert that was issued to mobile-phone users across California after Anderson was kidnapped. Some suggest the alert helped lead authorities to her location.

But the use of widespread text messaging continues to reverberate. Many Californians complained the text that went out in the late evening was disruptive, and some crime experts are questioning the effectiveness of Amber Alerts.

With more is Tim Griffin, an associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Nevada-Reno.