Project Child Safe is a cooperative effort between the Ames Police Department and other city departments to help locate missing or lost children through the use of city vehicles equipped with two-way radios.

Information reported to the Ames Police Department concerning missing or lost children is broadcast not only to police officers out on patrol, but also to other city staff who are operating city vehicles throughout the community that are equipped with two-way radios.

This initiative greatly increases the number of potential spotters throughout the community that can aid in obtaining a quicker recovery of a lost child.

All city vehicles equipped with two-way radios will have a “Project Child Safe” sticker attached to it that identifies the vehicle as a way help or assistance can be received.

Parents or guardians are also urged to inform their children that they may approach city vehicles to seek assistance or to report unusual or suspicious activity within the community.

A quick review of safety precautions that parents/guardians and children can do to help create a safer environment within our community:

Parents/Guardians:

• Know where your children are at all times.
• Never leave a small child alone at home or in a car.
• Make sure your child knows their full name, address and telephone number.
• Know your child’s friends and where they live.
• Talk to your children about strangers. Tell them to never talk, take candy, or go with a stranger without your consent.
• Make sure your child knows never to get into a stranger’s vehicle.
• Tell your child that if approached by a stranger to run and scream for help.
• Let your child know that no one has the right to touch any part of their body.
• Inform your child to report to you, a police officer or school authority, anyone that exposes his or her private body parts to them.
• Report to police immediately if your child informs you that they were lured or assaulted by a stranger or acquaintance.
• Attempt to obtain a detailed description of the suspect or vehicle involved. 

Children:

• Never go to a friend’s home without informing their parent or guardian where they are going and when they will return.
• Never talk to strangers.
• Never take candy or gifts from a stranger.
• Move away from a vehicle that pulls up next to them, if they do not know the occupants.
• Scream and run away from any stranger that calls to them from a vehicle or attempts to touch them.
• Be cautious of any stranger asking for assistance.
• Try to remember what the stranger looks like as well as a description of their vehicle and license plate number. 

What other community members can do:

• Be aware of all strangers in your neighborhood, especially if they pay undue attention to a child. Report your suspicions to the police at 515-239-5133 or 911.
• Write down detailed information/descriptions regarding strangers in your neighborhood, along with any vehicle descriptions.
• Call police immediately if someone is screaming or being chased by anyone.
• Ultimately, be aware of what is happening within your neighborhood.