Franklin Lakes July 29, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Borough police join missing child alert system by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Police Department has formalized an agreement with the Fort Lauderdale, Florida based “A Child Is Missing Alert Program.” ACIM, a nonprofit organization founded in 1997, uses a high-tech method to search locally for missing children, elderly who often suffer with Alzheimer’s disease, college students, and persons who may be mentally or physically challenged or disabled. Franklin Lakes Police Chief Irving Conklin recently described how the system works when someone is reported missing. Upon the receipt of a missing person call, the borough’s police department will make its first call to a toll-free number in the national ACIM headquarters in Florida. According to Conklin, the call, which is answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by an information and mapping technician, initiates a rapid process of information gathering. That information will include the name and location of the law enforcement agency, and the name of the missing person, date of birth, gender, nationality, height and weight, hair and eye color, clothing description, any scars or other physical characteristics, and any medical or psychological conditions that may exist. The technician will also request the home address of the missing person, the location that person was last seen, the police department phone number, if friends and family have been contacted, if the person had gone missing before, if abduction is suspected, and if there are wooded areas or water in the vicinity. When a child is reported missing near water, the immediate area is canvassed with the message. If the child is not found, the search area is expanded. If the missing person is a child, the ACIM will ask if the reporting agency is aware of any sexual predators within one mile of the last seen address of the missing person. The ACIM also requests a cell or beeper number to reach the officer on the scene for additional information. ACIM then launches potentially thousands of calls to local residents within minutes with an alert message detailing the missing person’s description, last known whereabouts, and other pertinent information. Conklin advised that the program is a free service to law enforcement. He said borough police would evaluate each potential activation of the program to ensure the system is optimally and appropriately used. “Departmental policies, procedures, and employee training will also guide the most efficient and effective use of this alert program,” Conklin emphasized. According to Conklin, residential phone numbers called by this program include listed numbers in the selected area, but do not include cell phone numbers, unlisted (continued on page 27) ���������������� Perennials ���������������������� ������ ���������������� �������������� ���������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������� ������������������������� ����������� ��������������� Daylily Happy Returns (2 gal. - Reg. $1195) ����������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������� ������������������������������������� SALE $ 8 98 ������������ Finally... a hearing device you’ll want to wear. Visit our office and try Dual for FREE! Call 7-29-09 joan/janine RamapoNurseryColor3x2(7-29-09) 3 x 2” ������������������������� ���������� ���������������������� 201-934-7755 today to learn more. © 2008 Oticon, Inc. All rights reserved. Dual: Engineered for performance, designed for style. Dual is the most advanced hearing instrument on the market today. It helps you move beyond the frustrations of hearing loss, so you can experience life with the clearest, most comfortable and natural hearing possible in any listening situation. � The ultimate combination of state-of-the-art technology with a sleek design you want to wear ��Understand what others are saying in noisy situations � Use the telephone with ease and convenience � Watch TV at the same volume as everyone else It’s a hearing device you’ll really love to wear. Summer specials available now for a limited time only. Call Robin at 973-636-7000 119 Interstate Shopping Center, Ramsey, New Jersey Intersection of Route 17 & Franklin Turnpike ADVANCED HEARING SERVICES, INC. www.HearNJ.com Supervising Licence. NJ Hearing Aid Dispenser * Licence # 743 *Board Certified by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences. **American Conference of Audioprosthology Thomas J. Higgins, BC-HIS*, ACA**