ARLINGTON — Police here recently went high-tech with a new program that helps find missing people.
As soon as officers learn someone is missing, they can call a toll-free line operated round-the-clock in Fort Launderdale, Fla., Arlington spokeswoman Kristin Banfield said. Within minutes, an automated phone call is made to hundreds of homes and businesses in the area with important information about the missing person.
“We can get the word out very quickly,” Banfield said.
The nonprofit program, called A Child is Missing, uses sophisticated mapping systems and can make 1,000 calls in a minute. It’s most useful in finding a person who is traveling on foot, especially children and people with dementia or developmental disabilities.
Arlington police usually handle one missing person case a year, Banfield said.
The program received more than 18,000 calls from police agencies since 1997. It has been credited with helping find more than 600 people, Banfield said.
The program is funded with state and federal money.
Officials first heard about it in October and signed up right away. Fortunately, they haven’t had to use it yet, but it’s a useful tool, Banfield said.
Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com.
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