Crime & Safety

GTPD Urges Parents to be Safe Ahead of National Missing Children's Day

National Missing Children's Day is May 25.

The Gloucester Township Police Department, the Stetser-Lamartine American Legion Post 281, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) shared the following information about keeping children safe ahead of National Missing Children’s Day on May 25:

Every year in America, an estimated 800,000 children are reported missing, more than 2,000 children each day. Of that number, 200,000 are abducted by family members and 58,000 are abducted by non- family members, for which the primary motive is sexual.

Each year, 115 children are the victims of the most serious abductions; they are taken by non- family members and either murdered, ransomed or taken with the intent to keep.

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An analysis of attempted abduction cases by NCMEC found that in 84% of the cases, the child escaped would-be abductors through their own actions.

Thirty- five percent actively resisted (yelling, kicking, pulling away, running away or attracting attention), while 49% recognized something was not right and responded by walking or running away.

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The Gloucester Township Police Department encourages parents to spend a few minutes teaching your child about safety as this could mean the difference between life and death.

That is why NCMEC's "Take 25 national public awareness campaign urges parents to take 25 minutes to talk to their children about safety.

The Gloucester Township Police Department and Stetser- Lamartine American Legion Post 281 are joining together in providing pamphlets and fingerprint kits to those who wish to be active in teaching their children on how to be safe.

These kits can be obtained by visiting the Gloucester Township Police Watch Desk on Sunday May 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After that, the kits can be obtained at the Gloucester Township Police Community Relations Bureau.

The 101 Days of Summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend, mark one of the busiest and most dangerous times all year. The Gloucester Township Police Department wants to ensure that all residents and visitors remain safe during the summer months.

If you have any questions, please contact the GTPD Community Relations Bureau at communityrelations@gtpolice.com or call 228-4011.  


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