Summer safety tips: Preventing child abduction

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Hubby
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  One fear of any parent is the thought of losing their child. This fear has lead to the creation of many programs and tools to prevent such an event.

But even with all of these resources, children are still abducted daily, and some, unfortunately, are never found. It is up to parents and the community to ensure they are providing a safe place for children to thrive.

According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, more than 790,000 children are reported missing a year. Of those, more than 200,000 children are taken by a family member.

"One benefit for those living on base is the fact security forces patrols the area," said Staff Sgt. Justin Bogushefsky, 436th Security Forces Squadron noncommissioned officer-in-charge of police services. "We have increased our walking patrols and security assessments of all base housing schools."

Security forces enforce the base housing curfew for any child under the age of 18. During the school year, curfew is from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight to 6 a.m. Friday through Saturday. Over the summer, the curfew changes to midnight to 6 a.m. for every day of the week.

"Of course, it is extremely difficult for a non-military individual to abduct a child on base," said Sergeant Bogushefsky. "We have a very strong vetting process in place for all contractors and other individuals who come on base. No one comes on base without an escort."

Should the worse occur and a child go missing, as soon as security forces receive the call, base housing is placed on lockdown and no vehicle is allowed to leave until a full search has been conducted.

"We also attend wing events and fingerprint servicemembers children for identification," said Sergeant Bogushefsky. "It is also a good plan for military-to-military spouses with children to have a dependent identification card for their child regardless of their age. All military children are required to have one by age 10, but sooner is better than later."

Should a child become lost on Dover Air Force Base, Del., security forces has many resources at their disposal to ensure the child is returned home safely.

"If the child is too young to know where he lives, we often take them to the Child Development Center to see if any of the teachers know them," said Sergeant Bogushefsky. "We will consult the base housing roster to see where they live on base."

The 436 SFS will be offering its child identification services at the Wing Picnic, scheduled for July 22.