The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC), in partnership with the Leesburg Police Department will be observing National Missing Children’s Day this year by participating in the national Take 25 child safety campaign. A child safety resource event will be held on May 20th, 2012 at the Ida Lee Recreation Center in Leesburg, Virginia.
May 25 has been observed as National Missing Children’s Day since it was first observed in 1983. National Missing Children’s Day serves as an annual reminder that there are thousands of children who are still missing and stresses the importance of making child protection a national priority. The Take 25 campaign is a national child safety public awareness campaign created in 2007 by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The campaign encourages parents to take 25 minutes to talk to their children about safety and ways to prevent abduction. The campaign begins on May 1 and continues through May 25 every year in communities throughout the country.
“We know that teaching children about safety works. Community events play an important role in helping parents understand how they can help save a child’s life,” said Ernie Allen, President and CEO of NCMEC. “We are very grateful to our local partners who share our interest in keeping children safe. They play an important role in raising public awareness in communities throughout America.”
An analysis of attempted abduction cases by NCMEC found that in 84% of the cases, the child escaped would-be abductors through their own actions. Teaching children about safety works. It saves lives.
“Safety of our children is a major concern for parents and we hope that this program will give parents the skills needed to keep their kids safe”, stated Leesburg Police Chief Joseph Price.
Supporters of the Leesburg Police Department Take 25 Child Safety Event
This year, the Leesburg Police Department is hosting a Take 25 child safety event from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Ida Lee Recreation Center. Internet safety is the primary topic that the department is addressing with the help from the Best Buy Geek Squad. Other resources offered will be;
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Child ID – DNA Kits offered by the Leesburg Police Citizen Support Team
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General Child Safety Information
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Child Safety Seat Inspections by the LPD Traffic Management Unit
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Classes for adults and children on Internet Safety (adult class at 11:00, child class at 1:00 PM)
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Free Wireless Router Safety Checks by the Geek Squad
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Information from the Loudoun County Health Department
Every year in America, an estimated 800,000 children are reported missing, more than 2,000 each day. Of that number, 200,000 are abducted by family members and 58,000 are abducted by non-family members, for which the primary motive is sexual. Each year, 115 children are the victims of the most serious abductions; they are taken by non-family members and either murdered, ransomed or taken with the intent to keep.
About the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization established in 1984. It is the leading nonprofit organization that deals with the issues of missing children and sexual exploitation of children. It operates the national toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST, as well as the CyberTipline which is the national system for reporting suspected sexual exploitation of children. To learn more about NCMEC or to make a donation, visit www.missingkids.com or call 1-800-THE-LOST.
For More Information about the LPD TAKE 25 event, contact:
MPO C.F. Tidmore
Crime Prevention Specialist
Leesburg Police Department
703-771-4564
ctidmore@leesburgva.gov
Click here for PDF version of press release
Directions to Ida Lee Recreation Center