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missing, getting that child’s photo and personal information out to the public is crucial. That is why the La Crosse Police Department and Ronald McDonald Charities have teamed up to host several child identification events this summer and fall.
Officer Drew Gavrilos, who is with the La Crosse Police Department’s Community Services Bureau, said police officers will be on hand two times during Riverfest and at other events to photograph and fingerprint children.
“The biggest asset to police is having a current photo we can give out to the media,” Gavrilos said during a demonstration of how the ID cards are made while parents wait at various events.
Through the use of a por-table identification machine, which does not require ink and gives an almost instant, clear copy of the child’s fingerprints, and a digital camera, making the cards takes no more than two to three minutes, Gavrilos said.
The printed card will include a photo of the child, the child’s prints and general information including, the child’s name, parents’ names and child’s date of birth. But, Gavrilos said, the card has space for the parent to add other information that would help police.
At a recent event, La Crosse police were able to produce cards for about 60 children in a three-hour span.
But police have changed the way the cards are made, which will shorten the wait and make it possible to process even more children in a shorter time, Gavrilos said.
“We hope to be able to take care of about 100 kids in two or three hours,” Gavrilos said.
If you go
At Riverfest: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday; police will have a booth near the La Crosse Police Department’s park command post near the eagle statue at the park.
July 12: McDonald’s, 1140 W. George St.
Sept. 16: Kidfest 2006 at Onalaska OmniCenter
Oct. 14: DARE/GREAT Chili Cook-off
Dan Springer can be reached at (608) 791-8269 or dspringer@lacrossetribune.com.
