City of Hiram Police Go High Tech to Find Missing Children

Hiram Police Department, Police Chief Todd A Vande Zande has formalized an agreement with the A Child Is Missing alert program that has led to a high tech method now in place to search locally for missing children (Autistic/Down Syndrome), missing elderly (often with Alzheimer’s), college students, and missing persons who may be mentally or physically challenged or disabled. 

Upon receipt of a missing person call, Hiram Police will now make their first phone call to a toll free number that rings in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This call, answered 24/7, 365 by a technician at A Child is Missing, initiates a rapid process of information gathering and sophisticated mapping systems which expedites thousands of phone calls within minutes with a customized recorded message detailing the missing persons description and last known whereabouts.  The message will also include a Hiram Police Department phone number to be called by anyone who has information regarding the location of the missing person.

Phone numbers that are called by this program include listed numbers and mobile numbers available to ACIM in the selected area. Mobile numbers, unlisted numbers, broadband/voice-over IP numbers, or TDD/TTY devices can be added to ensure they, too, are called in the event of an alert.  To enter your cell phone, unlisted, broadband/voice-over IP or TDD/TTY device number visit www.achildismissing.org and click on “add your name” to enter your name, number, and address.  This information will only be used for emergency message alerts.  

A Child Is Missing is a nationwide non-profit organization that helps law enforcement agencies locate missing children, missing elderly (often suffering from Alzheimer’s), college students, and missing persons who are mentally or physically challenged or disabled.  A Child is Missing utilizes sophisticated computer mapping systems and trained technicians with the capacity to place 1,000 alert phone calls in one minute to residents and businesses in the area where someone has gone missing. To date the efforts of A Child Is Missing have been credited with more than 1,320 safe assisted recoveries.

To register your unpublished home or cell phone number, visit www.achildismissing.org.