Across the district, a new law known as Hailey’s Law is promoted to establish the ‘Pink Alert’, which allows for an official safety announcement regarding suspected human trafficking, which can be linked to suspicious disappearances that do not meet the proper criteria for an Amber Alert to be issued.
Across central Indiana, citizens have visualized their support for the bill through pink ribbons, which are tied around trees, lamp posts, carriage lights and mailboxes. The growing pinkness of Fishers and surrounding cities acts as a symbol for child safety, and as a sign of support for the Buzbee family.
Seventeen-year-old Hailey Buzbee, a student at Hamilton Southeastern High School, had allegedly voluntarily left her home late Jan. 5. Because the case could not be ruled as a kidnapping, it did not categorize as an Amber Alert. Authorities were then unable to share time-sensitive information to the public to aide in her finding. Buzbee was determined to be deceased on Feb. 1.
A mother in the school district, Carol Feipel, has spread the pink symbol beyond her home and neighborhood. She is involving neighbors in the cause and is coordinating the widespread distribution of fuchsia ribbons across local Facebook communities.
“Quiet, visible support is often the strongest,” Feipel said. “My daughter and I felt that pink ribbons in the neighborhood could serve as a simple reminder that the Buzbee family is not carrying this alone while also raising awareness for Hailey’s Law.”
A community in pink holds support as more people are encouraged to join in.
“Many neighbors began adding pink lights to their homes,” Feipel said. “Seeing the support at every hour of the day has been incredibly moving… the presence is unmistakable. It’s a powerful reflection of people coming together to raise awareness and support this family.”
Hailey, being a student at Hamilton Southeastern, is familiar to many students at Fishers. The grief is shared not only through the public, but in more personal spaces of school. Junior Selena Reese recalls her friendship back in Junior High.
“Seeing the pink ribbons across the city is honestly very beautiful to me… It makes me and a few others I know that were friends with her less alone in the grief we’re experiencing,” Reese says.
Reese’s mother is a member of the school board, and is reportedly reaching out to testify in court, supporting in favor of the law’s passing.
Junior Lexie Black is another student going all out for Hailey.
“I truly do think they [the government] will [push for the bill] because the amount of attention that it’s got, it’s kind of hard to ignore,” Black said.
Lexie highlights the pink decoration down 116th street honoring Hailey. Many neighborhood entrances are also strung in pink across Fishers.
“We have all of our pillars [decorated] with pink bows,” Black said. “My car is also decorated with bows alongside my mom’s.”
Black is hopeful for the recognition of Hailey’s Law and its passing. According to WTHR TV, lawmakers are announcing the amendment of a bill to expand the Amber Alert system in Indiana, and hopefully nationwide.
Pink Alert has brought families together across Indiana as the need for child safety protocol continues to rise. The pink ribbons acts as a symbol of shared grief for Hailey, while promoting change to prevent a similar situation from happening again.
