Local Law Enforcement Says 'Take 25' to Talk Safety with Your Kids

By Dave Franzman, Reporter

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By Dave Franzman

Story Created: May 25, 2010 at 5:23 PM CDT

Story Updated: May 25, 2010 at 6:19 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS - Law enforcement officers from Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha and Linn County want parents to take 25 minutes to talk to their kids. And the topic should be personal safety and “stranger danger.”

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children came up with the “Take 25” campaign in 2007. The idea is to spend the time on a list of 25 safety suggestion every May 25th. Up to 800,000 children are reported missing every year—although the vast majority of true abductions involve family members or custody battles. But an estimated 115 children every year are true victims of a serious abduction incident that results in death or a stranger attempting to ransom or keep the child.

Charity Hansel, an internet crimes investigator with the Cedar Rapids Police Department, said in those rare cases, it’s important the child not keep quiet and willingly go with someone trying to take them somewhere against their will. “The majority of children who are abducted, and are able to get away, get away because they’re kicking and screaming. And it’s something we can teach our children to do if something like that were to happen,” Hansel said.

Hansel said this is the second year the Cedar Rapids department has issued a call for parents and guardians to “Take 25” on May 25th. Next year, Hansel hopes Cedar Rapids and the other departments endorsing the program can put together something more elaborate in the community to call attention to the issue of missing children.

For now, officers recommend parents go to the national website www.Take25.org to get ideas on talking to kids about protecting themselves.

Next Article Search for Missing Man in Cedar River Will Resume Monday

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