Why is child I.D. so important?
Not a week goes by without hearing about an Amber Alert, children being abducted, or child offenders seen hanging out at the local playgrounds. These occurrences don't just happen 'somewhere else'; they happen in our own back yard. We can't keep 'bad people' from doing 'bad things', but we should do what we can to help our parents, children, and our community. The safety of our children is everyone’s responsibility!
The first hours after a child is missing are the most critical time for recovery. Unfortunately it is also a time when parents may not be able to think clearly and be able to provide detailed information or description of their child. According to law enforcement agencies a parent’s best assurance for a quick and safe recovery of a missing child is to have a complete and detailed profile of the child on hand. Then if you think your child is missing or lost, you can respond immediately by handing the ID card over to authorities on the spot. This speeds up the search for the lost child immeasurably. Authorities agree that the faster you act, the faster you’ll find your child.
In 1998 the Federal Bureau of Investigation entered 932,190 missing persons (adults and juveniles) into their National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer as reported by the police. 85 – 90 percent of missing persons are juveniles; therefore, on average, 2,200 children are reported missing each day of the year. In a one-year period, there were approximately 114,000 attempted non-family abductions, 3,200 non-family abductions, and 354,000 family abductions. (This is based on information received by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children).
It is imperative to have this information. On average a child in the United States becomes missing every 40 seconds. Statistics from the U.S. Justice Department say the chances of any child missing are 1 in 42.
Why FIDS?
FIDS provides the complete and detailed profile to every participating parent and guardian. FIDS uses only state of the art equipment: FBI quality digital fingerprint scanner (no messy ink!), digital camera, and hard plastic ID cards.
While others may offer a single paper or laminated ID card, FIDS gives 2 hard plastic wallet size cards that won’t get ruined if they get wet. These I.D. cards are to be carried by the parents/guardians at all times! FIDS also compiles the information, including all ten fingerprints, onto a Compact Disc (CD) for parents/guardians to keep at home in a safe place. In the event a child is missing the I.D.’s and CD would then be turned over to law enforcement agencies so they can immediately send the child’s information locally and across the nation to other law enforcement agencies. Parents will also receive safety literature educating them on how to stay safe and what to do in an emergency.
How often should my child’s information be updated?
Children grow and change all of the time. To better identify a child it is best that the information be updated annually.
Is this card for children to carry?
The parent/guardian or babysitter should carry the card in their purse or wallet to quickly provide Law Enforcement Agencies with an accurate description should the child become missing. Parents may consider allowing older or more mature children to carry a card on their person.
What should I do in an emergency?
Stay calm. Call 911. Hand the I.D. and CD over to the investigating authorities. Alert all family, friends, and neighbors that your child is missing. Check all of your child’s favorite play areas.
What about confidentiality?
There are no copies of any information or pictures kept. However, if you would like your child to receive a birthday card from FIDS Birthday Card Club, we will keep only the name, address and birth date of the child on file. Otherwise, the information is deleted after the CD is completed.
Should we give the information to the local police?
NO! The information is strictly for the parent’s use. Unless your child is missing, the Safe and Sound program CD-ROM does not need to be taken to the Local Law Enforcement Agencies. Law Enforcement Agencies only keep files on active missing child cases.
How long after the event will I receive the completed packet?
Within two weeks the completed packets will be returned to where the event took place.
The school photographer gives ID cards – are they the same?
No! Keep in mind that you only get paper cards from the photographer – nothing more. Most parents aren’t even aware that every child’s photo and information that is taken is kept on a server in order to expedite “Missing” flyers if needed. However, with today’s technology, even government servers are hacked into. Children are the perfect target for identity theft since it would be years before the child found out. FIDS uses a laptop that NEVER connects to the internet – we take every precaution so you can feel certain your child’s information is never stolen.
Can I download the information on the CD to my own memory stick?
Yes, you can! There’s no need to buy from expensive ID companies that sell memory sticks which require you to do all of the work! FIDS prints the cards, cd’s, and hard copy of information on the cd – for a much lower price - so you don’t have to!
