The following steps are taken in using ACIM's Missing Program:

A person calls the Salem Police Department to report a missing child, elderly or disabled person.

The police department then calls A Child Is Missing on a toll-free number.

ACIM takes all pertinent information, including but not limited to:


Name of law enforcement agency
City, county and state of agency
Name of person missing
Date of Birth
Gender
Nationality
Height and Weight
Hair and Eye color
Clothing description
Any scars or other physical characteristics
Any medical/psychological conditions to be aware of
Home address including zip code
Location last seen with zip code if different than residence
Police department phone number for the public to call to report information
Case # or Reference # assigned to the case
If there is water or wooded areas in the vicinity
Have friends and family been contacted
Has the person gone missing before
Is there foul play, kidnapping or parental abduction suspected

 

  • If the missing is a child, is the agency aware of any sexual predators within 1 mile of the last seen address

    A Child Is Missing also requests a cell or beeper number to reach the officer on the scene for additional information.

    ACIM then makes a recorded message with the information that has been supplied.

    The location last seen is entered into the computer and a database of phone numbers of the residents/businesses is gathered. The message is then sent out to the community.

    When a child is reported missing near water, the immediate area is canvassed with the message, then the search area is expanded if the child has not been found.

    ACIM continues to work with the officer on the scene and/or the communications department until the missing person has been found.

    After recovery, the agency calls ACIM to stop the search. ACIM then faxes a case follow-up form to the officer/agency to be filled out, documenting the conclusion of the case. The agency then faxes the form back to ACIM. This documentation assists ACIM in obtaining funding to continue offering their services to law enforcement.