New York State
Missing and Exploited Children Clearinghouse
1-800-FIND-KID
(1-800-346-3543)
In New York State, DCJS Annual Reports indicate that the number of missing child cases (runaways, familial abductions, acquaintance abductions, stranger abductions) reported to law enforcement agencies dropped from 28,000 in 1997 to 20,400 in 2008.
While this news is encouraging, it is evident that vigorously promoting child safety will always be necessary. Parents and guardians play the most prominent role, by talking to their children in a calm and reasonable manner, being careful not to over-emphasize the frightening details of what might happen if safety guidelines are not followed. It is important to strike a balance between avoiding the issue and instilling a sense of fear in your child. The goal is to instill a sense of caution.
It is also clear that whenever a child is missing, parents must act decisively and the law enforcement investigation must be immediate, thorough and well coordinated.
Laws require law enforcement agencies to immediately accept and "strenuously" investigate every missing child case and to enter information into state and national missing person files.
The NYS DCJS Missing and Exploited Children Clearinghouse.
The
NYS Missing and Exploited Children Clearinghouse was established within
the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services in 1987 and operates pursuant
to the NYS Executive Law. Having
worked in law enforcement, identification services, training and/or technology
prior to assignment to MECC, staff members collectively possess tremendous
expertise in the handling of missing child cases and child safety.
Services
provided by MECC generally fall into three categories: investigative
support services for law enforcement, assistance provided to left-behind
family members and community education programs. Pursuant to the "NYS
Campus Safety Act of 1999", MECC is also responsible for providing
assistance in cases involving missing college students. Specific services
include:
- Operating the 1-800-FIND-KID hotline (case intake and lead information is received on this line);
- Providing short and long-term investigative assistance;
- Preparing and electronically distributing DCJS Missing Child/College Student Alerts statewide. LOCATER – Lost Child Alert Technology Resource, Xpedite, NY Alert and the Alert Subscription Service allow for rapid distribution of photographic images and biographical information within minutes;
- Placing missing child photographs and biographical information on the DCJS and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children - NCMEC web sites;
- Analyzing, transcribing and entering dental and anatomical information into DCJS and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) files on behalf of law enforcement agencies and medical examiners;
- Developing and distributing printed missing child posters statewide;
- Administering the statewide missing/unidentified person repository (mandated "flagging" missing child birth and educational records is facilitated through the use of this data);
- Presenting investigative training programs for law enforcement officers; developing and disseminating investigative procedures and guides;
- Developing and distributing child safety literature;
- Collaborating with NCMEC and other state clearinghouses;
- Co-coordinating statewide implementation and operation of the NYS AMBER Alert Program (through a partnership between the New York State Police, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, State Emergency Management Office, NYS Department of Transportation, NYS Department of Motor Vehicles, NYS Lottery, NYS Thruway Authority, NYS Broadcasters Association, local broadcasters, NYS Association of Chiefs of Police, NYS Sheriffs' Association, local law enforcement agencies and the public, this program provides law enforcement agencies with a mechanism for rapid and widespread public dissemination of information in the event of a child abduction);
- Furthering investigative and educational efforts instituted pursuant to the US Department of Justice funded NYS Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program; and
- On-going
community outreach:
- Making presentations about child and Internet safety to various groups (Parent-Teacher Association meetings, professional conferences, community organization meetings.)
- Appearing at community events and professional conferences with a child and Internet safety display. These events include local community child safety days and county fairs. During 2003, digital fingerprinting and photographing of children were incorporated into MECC outreach.
Four Important Child Safety Tips
- Children should be on the lookout for situations or actions that make them feel uncomfortable, rather than certain kinds of people. ("Stay away from strangers" is a popular warning used to prevent child abduction and exploitation, however, many children are harmed by "acquaintances.")
- If someone tries to take you somewhere, quickly get away from them and yell "Someone is trying to take me away!" Say "No", then go and tell.
- If someone follows you on foot or in a car, run to a "safe place." A safe place is where there are other people around ... the home of a neighbor or friend or a store; not a wooded area or unoccupied building.
- Parents should always carry pictures of their children (taken within the last 6 months) and should take time every day to make a mental note regarding the clothing being worn by their children.
