Code Adam

Code Adam!

                If you were in a department store, a supermarket or a super store and you heard the words Code Adam in progress; would you know what that announcement means? Sad to say, most people are clueless to this term; and I want to inform everyone why knowing what “Code Adam” means.

                The term comes from Florida, and is named after a young boy; the age of six was kidnapped and found murdered. His name is Adam Walsh, and this horrific act occurred in 1981. His father, John Walsh went on the air for many years trying to help other families find their missing child, a noble act in my book; preventing another family the pain of losing their child.

                So what exactly is Code Adam, some store will shut and sealed all exits and entrances, nobody comes in and nobody leaves.  Most places will ask the parents of the missing child to stand at the exit, check each child as they leave the store. The parents are asked the age, height and approximate weight of their missing child; including eye and hair color.  They are even asked what the child was wearing, including shoes. At which time all employees begin to search the store, many stores have a “plan of action”; such as who checks the restrooms, storage areas, and closets. This avoids areas from being check over and over which only wastes precious time.  The search does not end until the child is found, or the police take over the case.

                Today most store have cameras and they are able to run their tapes back, which is a very useful tool;  because they can actually go back to the time the parent and child entered the store, to the moment the child went missing. None of us expect our child to “go missing” but it happens and we should all be prepared, take note what your child is wearing, the color of his shirt and pants are very important to those looking for the missing child.

                So Parents speak to your kids today about talking to strangers, and if they do get lost don’t go anyplace with anyone. Tell them to find someone such as security or customer service to help them, then try to enforce the fact that even after they have sort out help they should never be put into a place alone or alone with someone else. Tell your child to tell the person,” I am staying right here”. This ensures that the child is still accessible to those looking for him or her, and not hidden.