ParentPoints : Fight child abduction by taking action

ParentPoints

This blog is for all parents; those in the traditional workforce, those who work from home, and those who work at home. Join our conversations about balancing the needs of family with the demands of work, discovering resources and activities around Alaska, and opening a dialogue about the perks and challenges of parenthood. One of our three contributors emphasizes teen and family issues. We welcome your comments but please keep them on point and civil. Avoid personal attacks and the use of profanity.

Contributors

Erin Kirkland

Erin Kirkland writes freelance and lives in Anchorage with her husband and two boys, 14 and 3. She has covered family-related topics for newspapers, parenting magazines and the Web. Erin and her family moved to Anchorage in 2005. She'll post on Wednesdays about great activities the entire family can participate in, and enjoy, together.

Gina Romero

Gina Romero is a lifelong Alaskan who is passionate about parenting. She left Alaska for a short time to earn a degree in journalism and returned for a job at Channel 2 News. Gina produced the Channel 2 Newshour for the better part of a decade and more recently served as communications specialist at the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. Career perspectives changed when her daughter was born in 2007, and Gina is now a mother by day and freelance writer by night. Her Monday blog posts will focus on striking a healthy balance between work and family.

Heather Lende

Writer Heather Lende has 5 children, biological and adopted, aged 17-25 and has been married to their dad for 26 years. She also coaches high school runners. She'll try to help you with teenage, young adult, and family matters. Expect her posts on Fridays.

Fight child abduction by taking action

Posted by Gina Romero

Posted: January 29, 2010 - 4:55 pm

If you are a parent in Anchorage, you are likely aware of the suspected child abduction attempts of three young girls walking to East Anchorage Schools. Police are warning parents the suspect is getting bolder with each attempt.

The story made me angry, fearful for my children and curious about other missing children in Alaska. An online search of the of National Center For Missing & Exploited Children turned up 10 records in Alaska. I can't imagine. As I scrolled through the photos of missing children, I wondered what I can do to protect my kids. My conclusion is I can't protect my kids all of the time. I can, however, empower them with tools to make safe decisions. Here are a couple of Web sites with helpful safety tips:

FBI Safety Tips

Child Safety Tips

In addition, many are dedicated to child safety. Take 25, a program of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children®, was created to heighten awareness about children’s safety issues.

Finally, National Missing Children's Day is May 25, 2010. Parents can take an active role to promote the event and to raise awareness in the community.

I'm interested in hearing from other parents. What do you do to ensure your child will not interact with strangers?