Hilliard introducing ID kits to help in the event of a lost child
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Spring break is right around the corner and experts are predicting travel numbers will be high this season.
The Hilliard Division of Police is making sure parents are prepared if they find themselves in an unexpected situation. On Thursday, volunteers from the Hilliard Division of Police will be at the Hilliard branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library to make EZ ID cards for kids.
The physical and digital cards have the most important info to give police if you lose your child.
“Well, folks are attending events a lot of times at large events. You may be worried about where's my seat? Where do I need to be? What line do I need to be in? And a little one can get separated from you rather easily at a large event,” Sgt. Kristopher Settles said.
He said it takes 10 to 15 minutes. They will start by entering physical information about your child including name, race, height, eye color, hair color and any defining features. They also take their fingerprints and a picture.
“In a stressful event and if you have a child missing I imagine that's probably going to be the most stressful event you're going to have in your life up to that point. In my opinion. So during that event, when you need access to the information, you have it on a flash drive,” Settles said.
Settles said after they print out the card or put it on a flash drive they will delete that information so no one else will be able to have it.
The Hilliard Division of Police has brought this technology to events in the past.
He said to keep it in a safe space like a wallet or a safe spot at home.
“This is something that even say maybe the child is going to visit grandma and grandpa for a week in the summer, maybe provide grandma and grandpa with that flash drive or send it with the child. They might be in another city that they're not familiar with,” Settles said.
The event is at the library from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. The event is first come first serve and is completely free.