Software Aids Hunt For Missing Children
Finding Missing Children
New computer software will help speed the flow of
information about kids who are lost or abducted
By Amy B. McCraw
Times-News Staff Writer
Getting the word out about
abducted or lost children will now be a little faster in Henderson County, thanks to a
computer software program designed to speed the flow of information.
"Statistically if you're going to solve a crime, the first 24
hours is the most important. This gets information out quickly,"Henderson County
Sheriff George H. Erwin Jr. said.
The non-profit group Child Alert Foundation presented the sheriff with
the software Tuesday.
"We would hope we would never have to use it, but we live in the
real world," Erwin said.
The Abduction Central Alert software allows 911 dispatchers to take
critical information about missing or abducted children, enter it into a computer
generated form and then send the information to fax machines, pagers and ~mail
addresses programmed into the system.
The information, including a photograph when possible, will go to law
enforcement agencies. It can also be sent to television, radio and newspaper
representatives as well as businesses that are listed in the data base. The program is not
limited to children and can be used for missing adults, including Alzheimer's patients who
sometimes walk away from their homes and become lost.
The idea is to have as many eyes as possible looking for the missing
person as quickly as possible.
Although the software is used in other states, Transylvania County
Sheriff's Department became the first law enforcement agency in North Carolina to receive
the software in September. Asheville Police Department also began using the software
recently, Erwin said.
Hendersonville Police Chief Donnie Parks said he would be interested in
looking into the software. The ability to collect and disseminate information in a uniform
way sounded like a good idea, he said.
Erwin received the software Tuesday from Shay and Skip Gosnell, who
owns TableTop Productions in Brevard. The couple learned about the program from friends in
Pennsylvania who developed the software. The Gosnells began introducing it in their
community after learning how helpful it could be in an emergency.
"We just wanted to do our part," Mrs. Gosnell said. "The
thing I would ask of the public is to be part of the. support system."
Law officers typically enter missing or abducted people into a National
Crime Information computer system which distributes information about the missing person
to law enforcement agencies across the country.
But, when information is entered into that computer system, an officer
must take the report and have it signed before the information can be entered, Erwin said.
The ACA software will' allow the department to get information on the
missing person out to the public immediately. The signed report for the national crime
computer system can be obtained while the information is being sent to the public, he
said.
Costs associated with installing the software total about $250.
But the Gosnells said a benefit planned for Saturday, Oct.30, at the
Ecusta Union Hall in Brevard should raise money to help offset the costs for law
enforcement agencies.
The benefit will be held from 11 a.m. to midnight and will include
music, food, raffles and a celebrity auction. Tempo Music in Hendersonville will be
selling raffle tickets for two guitars including one from Chet Atkins. The sheriff's
department will provide fingerprinting for children.
Businesses or agencies that want to be part o~ the computer data base
for the program should call sheriff's department communications II. Jeff Tweed at,
698-6102 ext. 4503.
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