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From: Lieut. Dave Brown Date: July 16, 2007 Subject: Missing Person Calling Program
Often when children are reported missing, the circumstance may not fulfill the criteria required for an Amber Alert, which is typically utilized for stranger abductions. When these requirements are not met, and an imminent danger to a child exists, the Lynn Police Department has teamed up with television networks and other media outlets for assistance. As recently as last March, two Lynn children where located in Boston, when television networks shared their photographs with the public. As a result of the media coverage, a Good Samaritan contacted Boston Police when he spotted the children, and they were returned home safely. In addition to the assistance provided by the media, the Lynn Police Department now has another option when searching for missing children, Alzheimer’s patients and other missing people. Upon receiving a request from a law enforcement agency, an innovative program can be activated in order to aid in the search for a missing person. “A Child Is Missing” (ACIM) is a non-profit organization located in Florida. Police can contact the ACIM Operations Center and inform operators of the circumstances. A recorded phone message is prepared, and quickly forwarded to neighborhood and business phone lines, within the geographical area, where the person was reported missing. Over 1000 phone calls can be generated in 60 seconds. The phone message will provide descriptive information of the missing person, and instruct citizens to be on the look out for this individual. Police contact information will also be made available. This neighborhood calling program selects from a databank of computer generated phone numbers within a specific geographical area, and is aided by a satellite mapping program. It is also possible to expand the calling program beyond the initial area. In future searches for missing persons, when an imminent danger exists, and the criteria for an Amber Alert is not met, the Lynn Police Department will make use of this program. Additionally, there is no cost for law enforcement agencies to participate.
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