FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :    Wednesday, May 22, 2013
CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605)773-3215   

South Dakotans Asked to Observe National Missing Children’s Day

PIERRE, S.D  -  Attorney General Marty Jackley is asking South Dakotans to observe National Missing Children’s Day on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

“Law enforcement statewide continues to participate in programs centered on the prevention of child abduction,” said Jackley. “We are committed to continuing cooperative efforts with the public to protect our children.”

Some of the statewide efforts that are in place include:

• Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) program- This program is part of the statewide Amber Alert Plan, which includes text notifications that are sent to smartphone users notifying them of an Amber Alert in their area.
• South Dakota Child Abduction Team (CART) - CART is a multi-jurisdictional team of South Dakota law enforcement professionals with specialized training that can be called to assist during abducted/missing children investigations.
• Endangered Missing Advisory (EMA) - A partnership between law enforcement and local broadcasters who notify the public about missing and endangered persons. It is designed for those instances when a missing person does not meet the criteria for an AMBER Alert.
• South Dakota Child Identification Program (SDCHIP) –An initiative of the Masons of North American that generates completed packages of various child- identifying items for parents or guardians.  These packages aid law enforcement in the recovery of a missing child. The program is offered to the public at no charge. 

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has dedicated this annual event for missing children since 1983. The organization wants parents to know there are things they can do to keep their children safe, and it urges parents to take a few minutes and review the safety tips which are part of the NCMEC’s Take 25 national safety campaign. The tips can be found at the www.take25.org/page.asp?page=50
 

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