CADILLAC -- The program is called "A Child is Missing. It's a rapid response telephone system that alerts residents and businesses in a targeted area about a missing person.
Cadillac Police Department Captain Matt Wohlfeill says the program really works,"It can make a thousand calls in 60 seconds there's no way we could pull that kind of personal together in hours."
Exactly how does this rapid response alert system work? It's actually quite simple. Law enforcement needs no special equipment or personnel to activate it--it's just a quick phone call.
Captain Wohlfeill says, "We would activate the child is missing alert system give them information as to where the person is missing from, a full description name all the other imperative information they need."
The program uses satellite mapping to isolate the search area and within 10 minutes it finds out the telephone numbers of residents and business in that area.
Captain Wohlfeill explains,"They record a message that would say something to the effect of the Cadillac police department is looking for a missing child in you area and would give the information and phone number to call"
Wexford County Undersheriff Martin Dahlstrom is certain the program will be a success, "I hope it helps the public assist us...anytime they can help us it's a great asset."
Captain Wholfeill also has high hopes and says, "It could maybe be the difference between finding a lost child or Alzheimer's patient while they're still healthy and before something happens to them."
The program is in law enforcement agencies all over the country. Since it's creation in 1997, over 790 missing people have been found.
To register your cell phone with "A Child is Missing" CLICK HERE.
