Brockton Community Embraces Child ID Program
When a child wanders off, it's a parent's worst nightmare come true. Parents in Brockton, Mass. are a bit more prepared to deal with that potentially terrifying situation thanks to an innovative child identification program offered by the Brockton Police Department using IDenticard System Inc.'s IVIS Plus 250 imaging system.
Funded by a local law enforcement block grant, the police department's mobile precinct bus travels once a month to community events throughout Brockton providing families with an opportunity to obtain a free photo and fingerprint identification card of their children. "We custom designed this card ourselves with the IVIS Plus system," explained Officer Al Gazerro, community education unit. The card includes the child's photo, fingerprints, height, weight, and date of issue. "If we ever need to change the design of the card, we can do it ourselves with a few simple keyboard strokes." Gazerro said parents are encouraged to keep this card with them at all times. If the parents should ever become separated from their child, all the information to assist in a search and help others identify the missing child is at their fingertips.
You'll find Gazerro and his mobile studio at such events as the annual summer Brockton Fair or supermarket safety day in the Walmart parking lot. Gazerro said that in addition to ease of operation, the police department chose the IVIS Plus system because it stands alone and is easy to transport. The system's digital technology provides a clear, sharp image and there's no need for film or film storage. "I just pack up my laptop, a printer, and my tripod, and I'm ready to go," Gazerro said. He is also impressed by the simplicity and convenience of card production. "A photo is just a click away. We can view the photo before printing it and the card is printed and laminated immediately so parents can take it with them."
Brockton's child identification program has been well received by the local community. "At every event we attend, there's a line outside the bus from the time we open the doors until we close up," said Gazerro. "In face, in just four hours, we prepared IDs for 110 kids."
Since implementing the child identification program, Gazerro said they've targeted other applications for the IVIS Plus system. "It's great to have this easy-to-use equipment to make up a card design for other uses such as authorized visitor IDs for the police department, as well as for ID badges for the city's emergency management team," he said.
For more information, click here or call 800-233-0298. |
