JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An identification program is helping Jacksonville parents ensure their children get the help they need in emergency situations.
Operation Kidsafe uses a custom digital fingerprinting system and photo software to gather information that can be used to help authorities identify a child in an emergency situation, such as an abduction.
The free program, which is being offered through Saturday in Jacksonville, takes five minutes.
Children scan their fingerprints and a technician takes a full digital head and shoulder photograph of each child.
Parents go home with a document that contains the identifying information, and can hand it to authorities in the event of an emergency.
"You are in that state of frenzy and you are not thinking about every little thing, but it's on a piece of paper so it's a little bit easier to give law enforcement," said Kimberly Nelson, who has a 5-year-old.
She and her husband Austin took advantage of the program Wednesday.
She said they were worried that if their son ever disappeared, they wouldn't have the appropriate documents for authorities.
The Nelsons believe this information could help speed up and identify their child were to get lost or be kidnapped.
"It's peace of mind and helps you sleep better," Nelson said.
“All the information would be in one spot and they can hand it directly to a law enforcement officer instead of searching for a picture,” said program coordinator Yoyk Mauritz.
The document makes it easier for authorities to get a description out to the public.
The program is being offered at through Saturday at O'Steen Volkswagen.
WJAX
