The Beginning
In 1994, the Parkersburg Police Department initiated the Video ID Program. The program used department personnel and video equipment to video tape local children for identification purposes. The program was used in 1994 at several safety fairs, Parkersburg's Safetytown, and for several church groups.
In 2003 under Chief Newell, the department began a major campaign on child identification using video identification and fingerprinting. The Evidence Technician and various officers began making appearances at grand openings, restaurants, department stores, banks/credit unions, and much more.
Video taping is now the preferred method of child identification for the department with more advanced methods being investigated. Parents are encouraged to keep the original video tape and keep it updated as the child changes in appearance. These tapes will give officers a true and accurate image of the child if something would ever happen to them.
Now an Ongoing Effort
Word of the program spread and it was eventually adopted by several Parent Teacher Organizations. Entire schools were video taped. School staff and PTO members were trained by the police department personnel. Now the schools regularly video tape the students using equipment purchased by their PTO's.
Now on a limited basis due to manpower issues, the Parkersburg Police Department makes every effort to do at least three child identification events per year. Child identification may be available at one of the police substations every week day in the near future.
