95th SFS offers child ID kits for Edwards' youth

  • Published
  • By Airman Mike Young
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Preparation is the name of the game as the 95th Security Forces Squadron offers child identification kits to families on base this summer. 

Polaroid and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children have joined forces to create a national child safety and standardized photo identification program called "Project KidCare."

"This is a beneficial program for Team Edwards," said Tech. Sgt. Robert Tucker, 95th SFS police services noncommissioned officer in charge. "In case of an emergency, these kits can be valuable tools that can assist in finding a lost child." 

Parents can submit these kits to authorities if their child goes missing. According to Sergeant Tucker, police use the information in the kit to identify and assist in finding the child. 

The kit should be kept in a safe but easily accessible area in case of an emergency, Sergeant Tucker said.

"The heart of Project KidCare is the photo ID," Sergeant Tucker said. "It is the only NCMEC-approved standard for child photo identification."

The specialized photographs taken are in full color and show the head and shoulders of the child. The 95th SFS is equipped with everything needed to take these photos and offers the service free of charge.

The photos should be updated every six months for children ages 6 and under, Sergeant Tucker said. For children over the age of 6, the photos may be updated annually.

Parents can call or walk in to the Security Forces Substation in building 7211 to receive their kits.

"When parents come in with their children, we will take their picture, fingerprints and answer any questions they may have," said Senior Airman Joshua Mitchell, 95th SFS police support apprentice.

The KidCare kits also include the child's personal information such as name, age, social security number, weight and height.

Additionally, it contains four pages for photos of the child as well as emergency phone numbers to call.

The booklet also offers safety tips for parents to share with their children, such as the buddy system concept, Airman Mitchell said.

"When a child goes missing, time is crucial," Airman Mitchell said. "These kits improve time efficiency when authorities need the child's information the most."

For more information about the KidCare kits, call police services at 277-6901.