Cordele Dispatch, Cordele, GA

Local news

June 28, 2008

GACHIP, freemasons protecting area children

CORDELE — Few things are more devastating than the trauma of knowing that a child has been abducted. Georgia Freemasons have developed a program that can speed the search process and make it more successful.

Called GACHIP (Georgia Child Identification Program), the Freemasons’ program keeps parents from having to search for photos, dental records and other identifying markers after the child has been reported missing.

If the child has been through the GACHIP program, parents have a DVD that can be given to local authorities who will upload the information to a national “Amber Alert” system, and the missing child report will go national within minutes.

Dru Hannon, a mason himself and district director of GACHIP, explained the program to Cordele Kiwanians Thursday.

Included on each child’s DVD are photos, digital finger prints and a video interview with the child. This video not only gives authorities a voice, but it enables them to pick up on individual mannerisms.

Hannon mentioned one particular child who had been abducted. Even though her hair had been cut and the color changed, authorities were able to identify her by the habit she had of twirling her hair around her finger.

Besides the DVD, GACHIP is unique in that it provides a dental plate made by a dental professional. In addition to the teeth marks, saliva and the child’s scent are sealed in a plastic bag up to seven years, provided the seal isn’t broken.

Children grow and change through the years, but the GACHIP program is free and a child may participate as often as parents wish.

Bill Pack, a mason with Cordelia Lodge #296, said a CHIP event is planned in October for the Cordele area.

Hannon said his Masonic Lodge in Fitzgerald has been able to partner with several community organizations, and they provide funding as well as manpower for CHIP events.

“We go into schools, churches, business locations, wherever we can get some children and parents together,” he said.

During his presentation Thursday, Hannon presented some astounding statistics concerning missing children and sex offenders.

He showed a map which indicated that currently, there are 44 registered sex offenders in Crisp County and 369 in the Crisp area which includes all the surrounding counties.

“I-75 makes this area extremely dangerous,” Hannon explained.

Text Only
Local news
  • Unloading a container Business steady at inland port

    Containers were being unloaded Tuesday from train cars parked at Cordele Intermodal Services on 13th Ave. E. Those containers will be transported to their destinations by truck.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo

  • Cordele police report a quiet Monday

    City police officers logged an unusually quiet Monday, listing only two arrests on the daily press release provided news media members.

    February 7, 2012

  • TV book changing to Sunday

    Cordele Dispatch and Americus Times-Recorder readers will not find a TV book in their Thursday paper this week.

    February 7, 2012

  • New school construction formally begins Ground broken Monday

    February 6, 2012 1 Photo

  • Cordelean faces felony, traffic charges filed after chase

    A 43-year-old local man has been charged with multiple offenses stemming from weekend incidents involving authorities in Crisp and Dooly Counties.

    February 6, 2012

  • Fees set in Wilcox

    Meeting in special session Thursday, Wilcox commissioners set qualifying fees for the 2012 election of constitutional officers in the county.

    February 6, 2012

  • 2-5 Dooly Chamber.jpg Tyson named business of the year

    VIENNA — Tyson Foods of Vienna was honored as the Dooly County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year during the organization’s annual dinner and meeting Thursday night.

    February 4, 2012 1 Photo

  • Council seeks answers

    BYROMVILLE  — Not only members of the general public, but city officials here are having problems getting information about the town's financial status.

    February 4, 2012

  • Williams pot pic.jpg Suspected drug distributor arrested

    CORDELE — Execution of a search warrant at 620 15th Ave. E. Thursday afternoon has led to the arrest of a 57-year-old resident for drug violations.

    February 4, 2012 2 Photos

  • Teen Maze returning

    For the third time in the last four years, Teen Maze is returning to Crisp County High School this spring.

    February 3, 2012

Business Marquee
AP Video
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate' Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is... Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
House Ads
More
Weather Radar
Video Gallery
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Seasonal Content
Poll

Will Newt Gingrich be the candidate to challenge Barack Obama?

A. Yes
B. No
     View Results