The Bow Police Department has signed on for a program that would help finding a missing person easier.

As of Wednesday, Nov. 5, the department is part of the A Child Is Missing Alert program that includes an automated phone system of local search.

With the program, when a missing child, elderly or mentally or physically challenged resident goes missing, thousands of calls can be made within minutes of an alert going out.

Bow Police Chief Erin Commerford said the program was not brought in because of a specific incident, but it will make the search process run smoothly if Bow police are faced with one.

“It will be a great resource for us,” said Commerford. “It’s really an added benefit in dispatching.”

When an alert is put out by the department, the program calls telephone numbers with an automated message that includes the person’s description, last known whereabouts and other information, as well as the Bow Police Department’s phone number.

Phone numbers in the database include listed numbers in the area, but do not include cell phone numbers, unlisted numbers, or TDD/TTY devices for the hard of hearing.

Anyone who wishes to add a phone number to the program can visit www.achildismissing. org and click “add your name.” Commerford said the department will take part in training on how to best use the program to fully make use of it.

“We’re always looking for new programs for the department,” said Commerford. “I’m very much looking forward to having it.”