Program helps parents if children go missing
Special to The Gazette
Thursday, July 24, 2008
A program to help authorities find missing children will be offered by Emporia Masons as part of Shrine Bowl activities this weekend.
The child identification program, of CHIP, began in 1994 in New York and now is offered by Masons in 20 states. Emporia Masonic Lodge 12 began operating the program in August 2007. The Masonic Lodge, in cooperation with the Kansas Sheriff’s Association and the Kansas Dental Association, joined forces to make this the most thorough child identification program available.
The identification process takes about eight minutes from start to finish, depending on the age. Each packet includes a CD that has voice, electronic fingerprints, video and three pictures. Also, the parents receive DNA swab and printout of all the information. No data is kept by the lodge. Once the screen is cleared and the next child has started, the data is erased from the computer.
On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Emporia Masons will operate a CHIP event in the Emporia Public Library. They also plan to be at the Lyon County Free Fair next week.
For more information or to schedule a CHIP program, contact Dave Hendricks, dhendric@emporia.edu or (620) 757-6168.
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Posted by childsafety (anonymous) on July 26, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Child ID programs have been around for a while and are really worthwhile. However, I strongly feel they are only half of the solution when it comes to children going missing or being abducted. It starts with the parents educating their children and taking the issue very seriously. Don't have the "it can't happen to use" attitude when it comes to missing children. We use this service, which provides education programs and recovery assistance if you ever need it. I highly recommend it.
www.childshieldagency.com
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