Area Law Enforcement and Masonic LodgesTeam Up for CHIP

Local law enforcement agencies assisted the area's Masonic Lodges in conducting a free child identification program on Kids' Night at the Bartholomew County Fair. Over 310 kids were served by the event. CHIP is a program provided by the Indiana Freemasons in cooperation wih law enforcement.

The Indiana Freemasons Child Identification Program (CHIP) addresses the alarming fact that over 1,000,000 children are reported missing in the United States each year. The Indiana Freemasons’ CHIP is the most comprehensive child identification program currently available to our communities. CHIP helps concerned parents to promote the safety of their children by providing a fast, simple packet of information to help authorities identify and recover lost, missing or exploited kids. It also provides an opportunity to educate our children on safe practices, which will reduce their risk of abduction or exploitation.

PHOTOS FROM THE JULY 11 CHIP EVENT:

What The Program Consists Of:

• DIGITAL VIDEO - Children are asked a series of questions to provide information in front of a height chart backdrop.  The CHIP interview captures the appearance, speech, mannerisms, and other important personal characteristics of a child.  It can be quickly distributed via the media to reach a huge audience and assist in the quick recovery of an abducted child. (The digital video is recorded onto a 3” DVD and given to parent or guardian).  It is the cornerstone of CHIP.
• FINGERPRINTS - Children’s fingerprints are computer scanned to provide clear and readable prints. The child’s fingerprints are taken by a local law enforcement officer and the fingerprint cards are given to parent or guardian.
• DNA - A DNA kit is provided to parent or guardian to be completed at home as soon as possible. The DNA kit includes envelopes for #1 - hair samples, #2 - nail clippings and #3 - oral swab for saliva sample.

All identifying materials are given to the parent or guardian once the child has been processed. No materials or private information is retained by the Freemasons or any law enforcement agency.