BUSINESSES PROMOTE SAFETY, CHILD IDENTIFICATION EFFORTS

Blockbuster Video in Cape Girardeau is promoting child safety by making video tapes of children for parents.

"Parents can bring their children into the store at any time during business hours and have them videotaped free of charge," said Jim Priola, manager of the Cape Girardeau store. "This is something Blockbuster has been doing for the past few years, and a couple of times, it has really helped authorities out."

The employee making the video tape will ask children a few personal questions. The purpose is to give authorities investigating a child's disappearance information about a the child, his voice and mannerisms.

On Aug. 27, Chuck E. Cheese Pizza restaurant will have a child-safety fair, featuring a Cape Girardeau police officer taking fingerprints of children and the Cape Girardeau Fire Department giving safety tips and ladder truck rides.

Sgt. Carl Kinnison of the Cape Girardeau Police Department said the businesses' efforts help reassure parents, but in the long run, might make little difference.

"The incidence of child abductions are very rare, and you hate to put an unnecessary fear in parents and the community," Kinnison said. "But at the same time, people need to know what to do when a child is missing."

The only real purpose fingerprints would have in a missing-child investigation is to identify a body.

"Then it's too late," Kinnison said. "But having a set of fingerprints on hand give parents peace of mind about their children. It also gives us an opportunity to get some important child-safety information to the adults."

The best thing for parents to have on hand in case their child disappears is a recent photograph of their child.

"We can make copies of the pictures and distribute them to officers patrolling the streets," said Kinnison. "Not only are they are reference, but the photos serve as a constant reminder that this child is missing."

The police department works to educate parents and children on prevention techniques. They warn children about the strategies used to lure them into cars, such as people saying they are looking for a lost pet or need directions.

"If children know how to react to situations like that, then the battle is being won," said Kinnison. "Children need to be told they should go to a uniformed officer or an adult for help when they feel uncomfortable."

Chuck E. Cheese restaurant will have McGruff the Crime Dog on hand at the fingerprinting session, held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Blockbuster hopes to take its video taping crew to the mall and area schools through the month of August to reach more children.

"We don't want anyone to be abducted," said Priola. "But if they are, something like this just might help."