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New app aims to consolidate Virginia's emergency alerts
The Guardian Network would combine all of the state's alerts to help locate missing and endangered individuals
Published on Feb. 21, 2026
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York County Commonwealth's Attorney Krystyn Reid and state Sen. J.D. 'Danny' Diggs, R-York, are spearheading a voluntary effort to create the Guardian Network, an app that will combine all of Virginia's different emergency alerts designed to help people in danger. The app would complement, not replace, the state's existing alert systems like AMBER, CODI, Senior, and Ashanti alerts.
Why it matters
The Guardian Network is the first effort of its kind in the nation to consolidate various emergency alerts under one umbrella. By streamlining the alert process, the app aims to get critical information out more quickly and reduce the radius where endangered individuals can go, potentially saving valuable time in locating them.
The details
The Guardian Network will be a two-way system where users can receive alerts and also share tips and information with law enforcement. The app's development is still in the early funding stage, with two budget amendments introduced by Sen. Diggs to provide $20,000 over two fiscal years. If approved, the app would then move into the development phase, to be created either by the Virginia State Police or a third-party contractor.
- The Guardian Network is currently in the early funding stage.
- If the budget amendments are approved, the app would move into the development phase in fiscal years 2027 and 2028.
The players
Krystyn Reid
York County Commonwealth's Attorney who is spearheading the effort to create the Guardian Network.
J.D. 'Danny' Diggs
Virginia state senator who has introduced budget amendments to provide funding for the app's development.
Codi Bigsby
A 3-year-old Hampton boy whose disappearance and believed murder led to the creation of the CODI Alert in Virginia.
Ashanti Billie
A 19-year-old Navy veteran who was abducted and killed in Norfolk, leading to the creation of the Ashanti Alert in Virginia.
Abigail Spanberger
The current governor of Virginia.
What they’re saying
“There is a huge crossover between domestic violence and missing people.”
— Krystyn Reid, York County Commonwealth's Attorney
“Anytime you can get information out more quickly, it benefits the process. It reduces the radius where people can attempt to go.”
— J.D. 'Danny' Diggs, Virginia state senator
“The largest age population experience housing instability are children, and that opens the opportunities for them to be lost, stolen or trafficked. The other population is our seniors, who already experience isolation in a way other age demographics don't. They are the fastest growing age group in our community right now.”
— Charvalla West, President & CEO, United Way of the Virginia Peninsula
What’s next
If the budget amendments are approved by the Virginia General Assembly and Gov. Abigail Spanberger, the Guardian Network app will move into the development phase.
The takeaway
The Guardian Network represents an innovative approach to consolidating various emergency alerts in Virginia, with the potential to streamline the alert process and get critical information out more quickly to help locate missing and endangered individuals, including vulnerable populations like children and seniors.
