DATE: October 8, 2002
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Child Watch of North America

SUMMARY:
Reference
According to a report published by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 3,200 to 4,600 short-term, non-family abductions are reported to law enforcement annually in the United States. Of these, 200-300 are kidnappings where a child is gone overnight, killed or transported more than 50 miles. Unbelievably, an estimated 114,600 attempted abductions take place annually.

Child Watch of North America was formed in 1992 to help prevent child abductions and return children that have been taken from their parents. Child Watch holds community events to educate parents on the dangers of child abduction and provides parents with free photograph/fingerprint child I.D. cards. Child Watch of North America is currently setting up a San Diego Chapter to expand their efforts into our region.

Recommendation
SUPERVISOR DIANNE JACOB
Adopt a resolution in support of Child Watch of North America and the establishment of the San Diego Child Watch Chapter.

Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact as a result of this request

BACKGROUND:
According to a report published by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 3,200 to 4,600 short-term, non-family abductions are reported to law enforcement annually in the United States. Of these, 200-300 are kidnappings where a child is gone overnight, killed or transported more than 50 miles. Unbelievably, an estimated 114,600 attempted abductions take place annually.

Child Watch of North America was formed in 1992 to help prevent child abductions and return children that have been taken from their parents. Child Watch holds community events to educate parents on the dangers of child abduction and provides parents with free photograph/fingerprint child I.D. cards. The fingerprint and current photo on the I.D. card are critical tools for law enforcement agencies as they attempt to relocate the child. Child Watch also can put together an Abduction Response Team, which is a group of volunteers that can immediately
be called into action to search for a missing child.

Child Watch of North America is currently setting up a San Diego Chapter to expand their efforts into our region. Over $26,000 has been raised to establish the San Diego Chapter. The local Chapter will also have an Abduction Response Team to assist law enforcement and parents whenever a child is missing and endangered.

Today's action will adopt a resolution in support of Child Watch of North America and the establishment of the San Diego Child Watch Chapter. I urge your support.

Respectfully Submitted,

DIANNE JACOB
Supervisor, Second District