BY
MATT SCHOOLEY
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.”