KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IS A PRIORITY for parents, law enforcement agencies, day care centers, preschools, and other childcare providers. Through D.A.R.E, C.A.P and Race Against Drugs programs, your Sheriff's Office is dedicated to teaching residents how they can protect their little ones and be prepared should an emergency occur.

In 2001 Sheriff Phil. R. Stammitti created the Corrections Awareness Program, (CAP). It's mission is to collectively promote, educate and provide service to the community in association with the Lorain County Sheriff's D.A.R.E. and Race Against Drugs Programs.

Through this program we hope to promote a picture to the community, particularly the youth that officers are people who they can trust, rely upon and look to as role models. By doing so we hope to provide service and knowledge to help people make better choices in life.

The CAP program consists of corrections officers donating their own time to the identification of children via our Child ID system. The Child ID program was created in 2003 by Sheriff Stammitti and consists of a card printer, laptop computer, video camera, and fingerprint capture device. Officers volunteer to attend community family-oriented events and create durable plastic identification cards for kids.

In the event that a child gets lost or becomes missing, the parents will have a document containing all of the child's vital information, allowing them to immediately provide law enforcement officials with the key facts needed to start a search. The information in the Corrections awareness identification booklet will also assist in finding and identifying the child.

For children two and over, we recommended parents update the cards yearly. For infants and toddlers up to two years old, we recommend having a new card made every six months due to the rapid appearance changes as they grow.

The Corrections Awareness Program is supervised by Sergeant Gordon who's duties include the organization of fingerprint events, working with DARE, Race Against Drugs Program and the Community Policing Officer's for joint programs to benefit Lorain County.

The Child ID program is available to groups, and is open to youths under age 17. Completed fingerprint cards are retained by the parent or guardian.

In addition to providing Child ID at certain events, Lorain County residents can bring their children to the lobby at the Sheriff's Office on Murray Ridge Road the first Wednesday of every month from 6:00pm to 9:00pm for free printing.

For more information or to schedule a Corrections Awareness Program Fingerprint event you can contact Sergeant Gordon at 440-329-3758 or leave voice mail at 440-329-3791.

Sponsors
Thanks to the following for their help and kind donations: Lorain Harbor Lions Club, Lake Screen Printing, Hometown Moments Photography.