Woodstock, Cherokee County, Ga. May 7, 2007- Sheriff Roger Garrison would like Cherokee County residents to know more about a program known as "A Child is Missing". The Sheriff's Office utilizes "A Child is Missing" program, a national non-profit organization offering free assistance to law enforcement to aid in recovering missing persons (including children, teens, and elderly). "A Child is Missing" provides assistance by placing computer generated phone calls, approximately 1000 per minute, to a one square mile location surrounding the area where the child went missing. The calling area can be increased if needed. The message that is delivered to the area explains that a child is missing, gives a description of the child, and explains what to do if the child is seen. "A Child is Missing" alerts have led to more than 220 recoveries nationwide.
On May 3, 2007 deputies with Cherokee Sheriff's Office responded to a missing 3 year old child in a neighborhood off East Cherokee Dr. in Woodstock, Ga. Within minutes of notification to "A Child is Missing", 693 phones calls were placed to the surrounding community and 464 contacts were made with residents in the area. Fortunately in this incident the child was located hiding in her own home but the number of people contacted is an excellent example of how effective "A Child is Missing" can be.
If you would like more information about ACIM. visit their website at http://www.achildismissing.org/ .