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Crime & Safety

Parents Encouraged to Attend Child Safety Event

A number of resources will be available, this Sunday, to help keep families and their children protected

A Child Safety Event is scheduled to take place at the Ida Lee Recreation Center this Sunday, May 22, to stress the importance of child safety and how to prevent things such as abductions from happening.

A number of resources will be available throughout the day that will help motivate and encourage parents to talk with their children regarding safety and how to stay protected.

During the event, child safety seat checks will be performed by the Traffic Unit of the Leesburg Police Department. There will be three Internet Safety presentations, beginning at 1 pm, and free router checks performed by the Best Buy Geek Squad. Staff from Loudoun Inova Hospital, the Virginia Department of Health, and Leesburg’s Fire and Rescue Company 20 will also be available to answer any questions.

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“I’m a parent so I think the more information you have is important,
 said LeesburgMaster Police Officer Christopher Tidmore. “There may be something there that [parents] don’t think about as far as a safety issue for their children. So it’s a free resource that will empower them to hopefully become better parents.”

According to a press release sent from the Leesburg Police Department, last week, National Missing Children’s Day has been observed since 1983. Since then, it has been observed annually on May 25 and continues to serve as a reminder that there are thousands of children missing from their families every day.

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Each year, an estimated 800,000 children are reported missing in America. Of that number, 200,000 are abducted by family members and 58,000 are abducted by non-family members, for which the primary motive is sexual. At least 115 children are the victims of the most serious abductions; they are taken by non-family members and either murdered, ransomed or taken with the intent to keep.

An analysis of attempted abduction cases by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) found that in 84 percent of the cases, the child escaped would-be abductors through their own actions.

“We know that teaching children about safety works. Community events play an important role in helping parents understand how they can help save a child’s life,” said Ernie Allen, President and CEO of NCMEC. “We are very grateful to our local partners who share our interest in keeping children safe. They play an important role in raising public awareness in communities throughout America.”

This year, NCMEC, in partnership with the Leesburg Police Department will observe National Missing Children’s Day by participating in the national Take 25 child safety campaign, a national child safety public awareness campaign created in 2007. The campaign began on May 1 and will continue through May 25, in communities throughout the country.

Sunday’s event will be held as part of the campaign, Tidmore said, and will be used as a platform to get more information out for families who want to do all they can to keep their children safe.

“My one primary goal is if I get one person there and I can teach them one thing or change one behavior then I am perfectly happy. My overall goal is I’d like to see a lot more people coming out and take advantage of it,” Tidmore said. “Our target is making the kids safer. Our primary goal is to get the parents out there so they get the chance to see what’s going on.”

The free Child Safety event will take place in the lower level of the Ida Lee Recreation Center, this Sunday, May 22, between noon and 5 pm. For more information, contact Master Police Officer C.F. Tidmore at 703-771-4564 or at ctidmore@leesburgva.gov.

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