Free Child ID Cards in Recognition of Nat. Missing Children's Day

In addition to being Memorial Day, May 25th is also the anniversary of Etan Patz's disappearance.  Etan Patz was a six year old boy kidnapped in New York two blocks from his home while walking to his school bus stop in 1979.  Recently a Maple Shade man was charged in his kidnapping and murder which ended in a hung jury this month.

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan declared May 25, National Missing Children’s Day. For more than three decades the search for Etan has continued. We would like to honor Etan by reminding parents, guardians, families and communities that every child deserves a safe childhood.  Please take time to talk to your children about their safety, including their online presence and the existence of online preadators.

In 2014, there were 466,949 entries for missing children under the age of 18 into the FBI's National Crime Information Center, also called NCIC.  An outstanding organization, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), works closely with law enforcement to locate these children.  They staff a 24 hour tipline to report sightings of missing children 1-800-THE-LOST (800-843-5678).  

They also provide a cybertipline to report; child pornography, molestation, child sex trafficing, online enticement of children, unsolicited obscene material sent to a child, etc.  You can submit a cybertip at:  CyberTipline.  Parents and educators can find resources to share with your children at Child Safety and Prevention. 

In recognition of National Missing Children’s Day and in an effort to promote child safety, we will be fingerprinting children free of charge at the Riverside Police Department on Saturday, May 23rd from 2p-5p.  The fingerprints will be on a child identification card for you to keep and provide to police if your child goes missing.