‘Safety Day’ aims to help authorities gain information to find missing kids

Rebecca Malone

Friday, Aug. 10, 2001 | 10:36 a.m.

The tasks seem simple and require little effort. They also could help save a child's life.

For example, know what a child was wearing when he left the house and keep a current photograph, said Tim Donovan, president of the Las Vegas Security Chiefs Association.

Every month about 300 children are reported missing to Metro Police. This includes runaways and parental abductions. However, about 90 percent of the children are found or returned home within 30 days, Metro Police said.

And, in an effort to provide authorities with the information needed to find missing children, the Las Vegas Security Chiefs Association and Las Vegas 51s are playing host to the first "Kids Safety Day" tonight at Cashman Field.

The safety day will provide information and tools to provide parents the chance to update their children's profiles. Safety kits, which will help parents through the process, will be distributed on the concourse level near the gift shop of Cashman Field starting at 6 p.m.

"I believe, and the association believes, that you should have as much information documented on your child as possible," Donovan said. "In the event that a terrible situation did arise, parents would be able to aid law enforcement in being able to find their child."

Members of the Las Vegas Security Chiefs Association will help parents fingerprint their children. Photos of the children can be taken, free of charge.

"This is a common sense thing. This stuff needs to be up-to-date and done all the time," Donovan said. "We feel very strongly about this. What better way to help our community than protecting our children."

The Las Vegas Security Chiefs Association -- a collection of security chiefs from more than 90 hotel, casino and resort properties throughout Southern Nevada -- has been active in the community for 15 years. Although the association often donates services and money to other organizations, the chiefs hope to conduct a "Kids Safety Day" at least twice each year.

The chiefs will be available to help fill out safety kits from 6 p.m. until the end of Friday's game. The first 500 children to participate will receive a free baseball cap from the Las Vegas 51s.