The NYS DCJS Missing Persons Clearinghouse
1-800-FIND-KID (1-800-346-3543)
The Missing Person Clearinghouse is responsible for providing assistance to law enforcement agencies handling cases involving children, college students and vulnerable adults who have gone missing.
Clearinghouse staff members have extensive experience in law enforcement, training and information technology, and they provide investigative support services to local, state and national law enforcement, assistance to left-behind family members and community education programs.
When it was first created in 1987, the Clearinghouse focused on cases involving missing children under the age of 18. Its responsibility was expanded in 1999 to include missing college students and again in 2011, to assist with the investigation of cases involving missing adults who have cognitive impairment, mental disability or a brain disorder, and who are at a credible threat of harm. The Clearinghouse operates pursuant to New York State Executive Law.
As part of the expanded mandate to assist with vulnerable adult cases, the Clearinghouse now coordinates a Missing Adult Alert system, using the same technology that alerts the public when a child goes missing.
Missing Adult Alert Frequent Asked Questions for Law Enforcement
Missing Adult Alert Frequently Asked Questions for Family and Caregivers
Live Meeting recording regarding Missing Vulnerable Adult Legislation
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 20,309 in 2010.
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.
Specific services include:
- Operating the 1-800-346-3543 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 and Missing Adult Alerts statewide. LOCATER – Lost Child Alert Technology Resource, Xpedite, NY Alert allow for rapid distribution of photographic images and biographical information within minutes;
- Placing missing child and vulnerable adult photographs and biographical information on the DCJS and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children—NCMEC—(children only) 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 includes making presentations about child and Internet safety to various groups (Parent-Teacher Association meetings, professional conferences, community organization meetings.)
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.
