Yours Truly In the news

**OfficerResource.com** · 07-14-06, 10:29 PM

http://www.hsconnect.com/news/articl...articleID=4742

Toronto Police to offer free child ID kit

By MARK J. MILLER, Staff writer

TORONTO — City Police are going to offer parents a powerful tool for child safety should their child ever be lost or abducted.

City Police will offer a free child identification card for parents from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 26-28 at the police station at the city municipal building, 416 Clark St.

The cards will contain vital information about a child, including fingerprints, basic identifying features and medical and parental contact information. The project for the identification cards, which will remain in parents’ hands in case of an emergency, is being spearheaded by Patrolman Tony Porreca. He said the cards would be crucial for police in any instance where a child’s safety might be in question.

“These are cards the parents can keep at home that have all the very important information about the child in case, God forbid, the child was ever lost or abducted,” said Porreca, adding the cards also include a space for a recent photograph of the child. “We will do the fingerprinting (of the child) here at the station. By having the fingerprints on file, we could use them to help find a child (abducted or lost).”

Porreca said he obtained approximately 1,000 of the cards from the state attorney general’s office, and the cards are used by law enforcement officials throughout the state when a child’s safety is at stake. He also encouraged parents to keep the cards in a place where they can be easily located during an emergency.

“This is a way to get all the information (concerning a child) on paper,” Porreca said. “If there is a tragedy, it’s hard for parents to think. They can bring this card to the station.”

Porreca said it’s been his experience that during times of stress involving the disappearance of a child, a parent can easily forget basic information about their child, such as hair or eye color.

He said with the card police have all the basic information they need for identification, which could save police precious time during an emergency.

“With a lost or abducted child, every second counts,” said Porreca.

“The important thing is to have as much information as possible. If parents have a recent photo of their child, that would be great. If not, a photo can be attached (to the card) at a later date.”

Porreca said parents can fill out the cards at the station prior to the child being fingerprinted. Identification information on the child required for the card includes complete name; address; date and place of birth; age; race; sex; weight; eye and hair color; Social Security number; name and address of school child attends; blood type; whether the child wears corrective lenses or contacts; date of last tetanus shot; name and address of physician; allergies and medications; parental information, including mother’s maiden name and place of employment; father’s name and place of employment; medical insurance provider; and the name and address of closest relative.

Parents can fill out as much information as they want, although the more information provided the better, said Porreca. He added parents should bring the child’s information with them to the station. Parents keep the cards, so a child’s security information remains with them until needed, he said.

“That first hour (of a child’s disappearance) is the most crucial,” said Porreca. “After an hour that child could be anywhere. With this card, it gives us all the information we need to help locate that child quickly.”

Porreca said the card and fingerprinting is being offered free to Toronto-area children and parents.

For information, call Porreca, at (740) 537-1591.

**Radar** · 07-14-06, 10:34 PM

I thought you were a fellow buckeye?

**OfficerResource.com** · 07-14-06, 10:39 PM

Hell Yeah!

**Ducky** · 07-14-06, 10:40 PM

(Toronto is also a city in Ohio, right on the river.)

**OfficerResource.com** · 07-14-06, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by Ducky

(Toronto is also a city in Ohio, right on the river.)

Um Yep!

**Willowdared** · 07-15-06, 03:35 AM

Good on ya Reca!

Lifetouch, the company that does school photos now includes a wallet size info card with that years' school picture already on it - it's great, because you have a recent pic, and it's easy to keep behinf your driver's license.

**OfficerResource.com** · 07-15-06, 03:38 AM

Yeah but I think it is crap these companys charge parents for the service. I will be doing digital photo's of every kid and will print them as I take them. I am also doing a video of all the kids where they will say their name d.o.b. address so that we will have video and digital voice of all the kids.

**Willowdared** · 07-15-06, 03:41 AM

Reca!

You Rock!

**zpd307** · 07-15-06, 04:45 AM

i didnt get my ass in the news when i handed these out, damn it!!!! i even printed the little turkeys.....

**Lo523** · 07-15-06, 06:30 AM

Damn good work there, Reca!

CopsRCool302 · 07-15-06, 10:06 AM

awsome Job Reca!

I worked for Missing Children (Field Security Officer) Love your idea man!

Good Job

**Autumn2009** · 07-15-06, 10:16 AM

I tried to get a digital fingerprinting system set up in my county, but unfortunatly the money was hard to come by, and I got sick of writing grants. Lol. Another time, another place I suppose.

Good work!!