A Child Is Missing – 1,000th Successful Recovery

This launches A Child Is Missing’s National Missing Person Awareness Campaign to advance support and usage of this FREE life saving alert program.

Every parent has had that ‘moment of panic’ when their child goes missing at the mall or grocery store, even if just for a minute. Now imagine that minute turning into hours or days…

A Child Is Missing’s (ACIM) program has helped law enforcement reunite lost children, spouses, parents and grandparents with their anxious families. Often those that go missing are in danger. Locally, the Pembroke Pines Police Department utilizes ACIM’s phone alert program in its missing person cases. To date the joint effort has resulted in at least 5 Safe Assisted Recoveries. One such recovery is below:

Pembroke Pines, Florida (Broward County) Police Department
On Sunday, March 14, 2010 Officer Venema activated A Child Is Missing Alert to assist his agency’s search for a 9 year old boy who had gone missing from the 8500 block of Taft Street in Hollywood. The boy had run away before and Police were attempting to locate him by tracking his cell phone. Over 1,800 alert calls were placed. As a result of those alert calls, a call was received from a citizen who saw the boy outside of the perimeter police were using. Police were then able to adjust the targeted search area, and with the assistance of a phone trace, the boy was located safe, approximately 3 miles from where he had gone missing.

A Child Is Missing is a nationwide non-profit organization that helps law enforcement agencies locate missing children, elderly persons (often suffering from Alzheimer’s), students, and the disabled.

The moment the Pembroke Pines Police Department is notified of a missing person case, a sworn officer makes a single phone call to A Child Is Missing’s national headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. The call is answered 24/7/365 by an ACIM Technician. Using a sophisticated mapping system, the technician gathers vital information and initiates a geo-targeted alert (at the rate of 1,000 calls per minute) to the surrounding area the person was last seen. The message details the missing person’s description, last known whereabouts, and pertinent information. The agency’s phone number is also provided to allow those that might have information relating to the missing person to call the agency directly.

>> When a mother in a grocery store turns her back and her four year old disappears…
>> When an elderly woman with dementia wanders away near a wooded area or lake…
>> When a child is abducted…

The ACIM alert system is ready and available to help with vital resources that can mobilize local communities and law enforcement response teams with 1,000 alert phone calls in one crucial minute. This alert program allows the Pembroke Pines Police Department to concentrate its personnel and resources on time critical tasks thus increasing the likelihood of a Safe Recovery.

Comments:
U.S. Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (FL)…‘I have been a proud supporter of A Child Is Missing Alert Program for over a decade and am so grateful for the work they have done in my home state of Florida and throughout the country to safely reunite those who have gone missing with their loved ones. Each rescue A Child Is Missing assists in is a miracle in itself. Reaching this milestone achievement of 1,000 successful assisted recoveries is further proof of why organizations like this one merit federal and state government support. A Child Is Missing is a preventive, preemptive, and collaborative program which deserves recognition for its valuable assistance to families, our greater communities and law enforcement‘.

U.S. Congressman Ted Deutch (FL)… ‘When a loved one goes missing, every minute counts. By using satellite imaging and direct contact to immediately alert communities of missing children and elderly adults, A Child Is Missing has proven an invaluable resource for law enforcement agencies nationwide. I am proud that an organization that started in South Florida has made such a difference in the lives of over a thousand families across America‘.

Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti… ‘I was enthused and privileged to be involved at the very inception of A Child Is Missing. To see them grow from a small and dedicated group of people concerned for the welfare of our children here in Broward County, to an organization of national impact and significance is truly amazing. Congratulations on an outstanding achievement. As a truly valued community partner, A Child Is Missing will always have the continuing support of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office‘.

– A Child Is Missing’s 5 – Most Recent Success Stories (a complete list is available at www.achildismissing.org –

Success 998 – Marion County, Florida Sheriff’s Office – A 76 year old woman suffering from dementia was reported missing from her home in Silver Springs on Tuesday, December 20, 2011. Caregivers and friends were concerned because the woman had a history of wandering off and becoming lost and was known to be a fast walker. Sergeant Barkley contact A Child Is Missing Alert and nearly 1,000 telephone alert calls were sent to the area surrounding woman’s home, requesting anyone with information to contact The Sheriff’s Office. In response, 7 tips came in with sightings of the woman, enabling deputies to locate the woman safe, approximately 2 miles away. Total time from activation to safe recovery was less than 20 minutes.

Success 999 – Anchorage, Alaska (Anchorage County) Police Department – The evening of Sunday, December 18, 2011, two brothers aged eleven and thirteen were reported missing from their home in Anchorage. Temperatures were dropping and Police and caregivers were concerned for the boys’ safety. Additionally, the boys speak a mixture of Yupik and English, making communication difficult at times. Because the boys ride a taxi to school each day, the local taxi companies were being contacted in an effort to locate them. Dispatcher Sandra activated A Child Is Missing Alert to assist Sergeant Masten, who was leading the search. Nearly 2,000 telephone alert calls were sent to residents and businesses surrounding the boys’ home, asking anyone with information to contact Police. According to the case follow-up, a citizen that had received the alert spotted the boys in the play area of a local McDonalds. The citizen notified the employees and the Police were called. Total time from activation to safe recovery was less than 30 minutes.

Success 1,000 – Maryland State Police Department – The morning of Saturday, December 17, 2011, a 16 year old boy was reported missing from his home in Cumberland. Sergeant Garrett called A Child Is Missing to assist in the search. Nearly 600 telephone alert calls were sent to residents and businesses surrounding the area where the boy was last seen, asking anyone with information to contact Police. In response, ten calls with tips were received, enabling Police to locate the boy safe, approximately 1 mile away. “Very helpful,” wrote Sergeant Jason Palouchi. “A lot of the callers stated that they saw the boy approximately a half hour prior.”

Success 1,001 – Akron, Ohio (Summit County) Police Department – The evening of Tuesday, December 20, 2011, A Child Is Missing was contacted by Sergeant Garrett regarding a missing 10 year old boy. A full description of the boy was reported and his last known location was given to be broadcast in hopes that someone in the area may have seen him. Nearly 1,500 homes and businesses in the region were notified of the boy’s disappearance. In response, the agency received several calls from residents that had seen the boy. One of those calls lead Police directly to the boy just a few houses away from where he went missing.

Success 1002 – Maryland State Police Department – “Thanks for your assistance! Numerous calls came in that she was spotted,” wrote Officer Saucerman after activating A Child Is Missing Alert on Monday, December 26, 2011. The Officer was leading the search for a missing 61 year old woman reported to be suffering from mental disorders and hadn’t been seen since Saturday night. More than 1,400 telephone alert calls were sent to the area where she was last seen. Tips generated from the alert helped Police to locate the woman safe, walking along the side of a road approximately 25 miles from where she went missing. Total time from activation to safe recovery was 1 hour.

You can review News Media Videos about ACIM at: www.achildismissing.org/video
To ensure you will be called in the event of an alert in your area you can add your cell or unlisted number at: www.achildismissing.org