WPD Goes High Tech to Search for Missing Children
Waverly Police Department Goes High Tech to Search for Missing Children
Waverly, TN — The Waverly Police Department’s Police Chief, David Daniel, has formalized an agreement with the A Child Is Missing Alert Program that has led to a high tech method now in place to search locally for missing children, missing elderly (often with Alzheimer’s), college students, and missing persons who may be mentally or physically challenged or disabled.
Effective immediately, upon receipt of missing persons calls, the Waverly Police Department will make its first phone call to a toll-free number that rings in Fort Lauderdale, Florida—the national headquarters of the A Child Is Missing Alert Program. The call, answered 24/7/365 by an Information and Mapping Technician, initiates a rapid process of information gathering and use of sophisticated mapping systems. A Child Is Missing then launches potentially thousands of calls within minutes with an alert message detailing the missing person’s description, last known whereabouts, and pertinent information. This alert message will also include a Waverly Police Department phone number for use by anyone with information relating to the missing person.
This program is a free service to law enforcement. Waverly Police officials will evaluate each potential activation of the A Child Is Missing Alert Program to ensure the application is appropriate to the case and to ensure the system is optimally used. Policies, procedures, and employee training will also guide the most efficient and effective use of this Alert Program. “It is important for missing persons to be reported timely so that we can make the best use of tools such as A Child is Missing. The system can rapidly deliver a message using reverse phone directories and get the community involved in locating endangered people”, said Chief Daniel.
Phone numbers that are called by this program include listed numbers and mobile numbers available to ACIM in the selected area. Mobile numbers, unlisted numbers, broadband/voice-over IP numbers, or TDD/TTY devices can be added to ensure they, too, are called in the event of an alert. To enter your cell phone, unlisted, broadband/voice-over IP or TDD/TTY device number visit http://www.achildismissing.org/ and click on “add your name” to enter your name, number, and address. This information will only be used for emergency message alerts.
A Child Is Missing is a nationwide non-profit organization that helps law enforcement agencies locate missing children, missing elderly persons (often suffering from Alzheimer’s), college students, and missing persons who are mentally or physically challenged or disabled. A Child is Missing utilizes sophisticated computer mapping systems and trained technicians with the capacity to place 1,000 alert phone calls in one minute to residents and businesses in the area where someone has gone missing. To date the efforts of A Child Is Missing have been credited with more than 802 safe assisted recoveries.