Keeping Kids Safe!

A Special Report by Gerald Kostecka

Introduction

In the last several months our nation has witnessed an epidemic of non-parental abductions.  With many ending with the recovery of a lifeless body.   This report offers numerous tips for both parents and children to protect themselves from becoming the victim of an abduction.  As with anything, preparedness is the key to combating this terrible trend.

Abduction Statistics

Almost 800,000 individuals are reported missing in the US each year.

Of these, 85-90 percent are juveniles, equaling nearly 2000 missing children daily.

200-300 of these children are abducted by a stranger.

Out-of-the-home abductions occur 45-65 times annually.

FBI statistics have reported that 90 percent of children criminally abducted
who are going to be killed are killed within 36 hours.

Additionally, experts say that over 75 percent of those killed after an abduction,
are killed within the first three hours.

What the Statistics Do Not Show

Statistical information bears the cold, hard, facts. People and events crunched into nice, tidy groups of numbers. These statistics don’t reveal the gut wrenching pains experienced by the parents of these abducted children. The unrest of entire communities after they lose one of their young members. The endless sea of tears from the child’s loved ones. The fear felt by every person that learns of a child’s abduction and has a child of their own.  They do not show that until the number of annual abductions drops to zero, that the number is too high! These statistics do not show that even if the number of abductions were only one per year, that it should give every parent in America pause and should be enough inspiration for them to take protecting their children seriously. The statistics do not show that the best way to combat this potential hazard is by being prepared. That in almost every case, with proper preparation, an abduction can be avoided.

The one thing that the statistics do make clear, without ever actually stating this fact, is that because of the recent rash of abductions, it has become painfully obvious that further steps must be taken to protect our children. This is one statistic that cannot be ignored and that demands action. Remember the children behind the numbers. They all had mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family and friends, all of which miss the once joyous child that has now become a statistic.

Beating the Statistics

There are many things both parents and children can do to avoid becoming an abduction statistic.  Here are a few strategies that can help reduce the chance of ever being victimized.

1.  The first should be the most obvious, as well as the most effective.  Keep an eye on your child at all times.  It should not matter if you are on vacation 500 miles from home or in the back yard of your house or at the local park.  You should always be able to actually see your child and they should always be close.  I suggest that you always keep your child within 5-10 seconds of you.   The reason I use time instead of distance is that different people will have different abilities.  Some people can travel a distance of 50 to 75 feet in 5-10 seconds, while others can only cover half that distance.  Figure out what will work best for you and enforce that rule. 

2.  Talk to your kids.  Keep open communication and discuss the recent abductions with your children.  Explain what they should do if ever approached by a stranger or if ever grabbed.  They need to know to never go anywhere with a stranger, no matter what they tell them.  Some abductors will try to use a ploy, from a lost pet, to an injury sustained by the child's parent.  If a stranger were to grab them, the child needs to fight.  Kick, scream, scratch, bite.  They need to do whatever they can to get freed.  If they were to be grabbed, they need to yell for help.  They should be sure to yell "This is not my parent, help me!"   It is suggested that you actually practice this with your children, so they feel comfortable with what they must do.  When I did this with my kids, I ended up with bruised shins and some hair, pulled from the root.  A small price to pay to teach this valuable lesson.

3.  Have a game plan.  Create a plan for the majority of situations your child could be faced with.  When you get to a shopping mall, or any other place, find a location to be your "Home Base", a place the child should go if you were to become separated.  Also, point out security personnel and let your child know that if separated, they can look to a security officer for help.   If your child walks to and from school without a parent, be sure you approve a safe route for your child.  Have them stick to this route, so if they became missing, you could have at least a general idea of where to start looking.  You should also have a "Safe House" on the route.  This can be a neighbor that you trust or even a grocery store.  Just designate a location for your child to RUN to if they ever feel uneasy or threatened.

4.  Another effective strategy is having your child stay in a group.   Being alone can make a child a target.  Have your child use "The Buddy System" and keep each other safe.  Your child also needs to be aware of their surroundings.  They should walk with their head up, looking around for potential hazards.  If they see something or someone that makes them uneasy, have them adjust for it.  They may need to turn around and go back to where they had left.  It may not be what they want to do, but it could very well be what they need to do!

5.  Be prepared!  Being proactive is a great way to be prepared.   Keep updated records of your child, with high-quality photos.  There is a new safety program that is scheduled to launch January 1, 2003, called the National Children's Information Registry, (NCIR).  This program allows a child's information to be stored remotely and is accessible 24 hours a day.  This is a great way to be proactive and prepared. 

These are just a few strategies that you can employ to help keep your kids safe.  Be sure to check out the new Dream Dragon safety programs and products, including the Children's Personal Protection Alarm, which will be available soon.  No matter what strategies you use, please use something.  There have been enough children lost already, yours does not have to become one of them!

Victims of Abductions

News reports have been littered with headlines of children that have become victims of abduction. Some of these cases become very high-profile and the entire nation becomes familiar with the name of a particular child. Once a case has ended, the names fade into the recesses of most peoples minds. The NCIR is a system that hopes to honor those lost so needlessly by trying to prevent future abductions. The children listed below were all victims of abductions. Their names are chilling reminders of why this program is so essential. Keep in mind, this is only a few of the thousands of children reported missing each and every day.

Elizabeth Smart                      Abducted June 5, 2002                  Salt Lake City, Utah

Samantha Runnion               Abducted July 15, 2002                  Stanton, California

Tamara Brooks                       Abducted August 1, 2002                  Antelope Valley, California

Jacqueline Marris                   Abducted August 1, 2002                  Antelope Valley, California

Rachel Cooke                       Abducted January 10, 2002         Georgetown, Texas

Danielle Van Dam                  Abducted February 2, 2002         San Diego, California

Cierra Walden                        Abducted August 29, 2002         Bakersfield, California

Nicholas Farber                     Abducted August 28, 2002                 Palm Desert, California

Nichole Timmons                   Abducted August 21, 2002         Riverside, California

Erica Pratt                        Abducted July 22, 2002                  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jennifer Short                       Abducted August 15, 2002         Bassett, Virgina

Pedro Orozco                       Abducted July 19, 2002                  Tulsa, Oklahoma

Jyrine Harris                        Abducted June 23, 2002                  Irvington, New Jersey

Jessica Cortez                       Abducted August 11, 2002         Los Angeles, California

Logan Tucker                       Abducted June 23, 2002                  Woodard, Oklahoma

Kenneth Spriggs                     Abducted June 13, 2002                  Houston, Texas

Alexis Patterson                     Abducted May 3, 2002                  Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Jahi Turner                        Abducted April25, 2002                  San Diego, California

Laura Ayala                        Abducted March 10, 2002         North Houston, Texas

Ashley Pond                        Abducted January 9, 2002         Oregon City, Oregon

Miranda Gadis                       Abducted March 8, 2002                  Oregon City, Oregon

Tionda Bradley                      Abducted July 6, 2001                  Chicago, Illinois

Diamond Bradley                   Abducted July 6, 2001                  Chicago, Illinois

Adam Finch                        Abducted August, 6 1996                  Panama City, Florida

Kiplyn Davis                        Abducted May 2, 1995                  Spanish Fork, Utah

Polly Klaas                        Abducted October 1, 1993         Petaluma, California

Jacob Wetterling                    Abducted October 22, 1989         St. Joseph, Minnesota

Adam Walsh                        Abducted July 27, 1981                  Hollywood, Florida

You may or may not know that May 25 is National Missing Children’s Day. It is a national tragedy that such a day of remembrance is even necessary. It is our hope that the NCIR Programs will help bring an end to these tragedies and that we can stop adding names to this list that is already too long. Please do not let the deaths of these innocent children be in vane. If you do not join us in our efforts, please commit yourself, in some way, to help bring an end to the epidemic of missing and abducted children.

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It may not be copied or distributed without the express written permission of the owner.