I received the Code Adam Packet just a few days ago. There are some minor things we must complete. Inside the packet were two door decals, a DVD by John Walsh required viewing, and a poster to be placed in the lunch room. All employees are required to view the Code Adam DVD which lasts approximately 11 minutes, according the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
1. Purpose: To train and prepare, all staff personnel on National Code Adam procedures, and how to implement these procedures within their designated areas. Perhaps you are wondering what is Code Adam? Code Adam was developed by two Wal-Mart employees in 1994. Code Adam is one of the largest child-safety programs in the country. Among the targeted facilities which predators lurk, libraries and schools are of interest.
2. Scope: These procedures have been designed by using the guidance and materials provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Procedures listed will be modified to fit the challenges of this facility and meet the standards set forth by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Modification would only incorporate the specific areas which each department must check within their assigned area.
3. General Information: All library personnel must review the 11 minute DVD on Code Adam procedures. A Code Adam poster is required to be placed in the lunchroom so all employees can view the procedures at all times. The Code Adam decal should be placed on the front door because it identifies the facility and employees are in partnership with National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The Code Adam Decal could possibly be considered a deterrent for the simple reason; if a predator sees the sign he/she will probably not attempt to abduct any child, they all probably know about Code Adam and won’t take the chance.
4. Basic Procedures: This will be a very simple process when implementing Code Adam procedures. All departments simply stay within your area and search your area completely. This means everyone within your department and those in the administration areas would have assigned areas to search. Think like a child and search all possible locations a child could hide. Be sure to approach all unattended children within your assigned area, even if their clothing does not meet the description you have been given. Remember, a predator may change a Child's clothing, but they seldom change the Child's shoes. These basic procedures for Code Adam will also be posted in the lunchroom. There are six steps which must be followed when implementing Code Adam. Speed in implementation is of the utmost importance. Some modifications may have to be implemented because of the library Public Address System. Much thought has been put into these procedures and as usual, any suggestions will be accepted to make the process more workable.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Standards:
Step One: What must I do if approached that a child is missing? Quickly get a detailed description which includes:
¨ Name, age, hair color, eye color
¨ Approximate weight and height
¨ What the child is wearing, like color and type of clothing and, more importantly, shoe color and style (although the clothes may be changed, an abductor does not usually remove or change shoes).
Step Two: Go to the nearest in-house phone and page “Code Adam”. Announce the description of the missing child. This is one of the most difficult parts of these procedures because of our Public Announcement System. After speaking with the Technology Coordinator, our PA system only works when the fire alarm has sounded. The problem is the fire alarm system is tied into the PBX and every time the alarm sounds the fire department and police will respond. Also, people will begin evacuation the building thinking there is a fire. This would cause a serious problem when implementing Code Adam. Someone must be at the door checking all patrons who leave with children. A fire alarm will indicate to patrons to evacuate immediately and do not stop.
¨ The most likely solution to the PA system problem is to radio all departments after information has been gathered and announce “Code Adam”. Then each department announces “Code Adam” verbally to their coworkers.
¨ Employees who have been assigned to the front door should assume their position and immediately begin monitoring. Ask patrons with children who resemble the description to wait until management arrives, then ask the child his/her name and if the adult is their parent. Escort the parent or guardian of the missing child to the front of the facility to assist in identifying the lost child.
¨ After hearing “Code Adam”, all facility employees should begin looking for the child. Your facility management will assign responsibility for important designated areas like rest rooms and back rooms.
Step Three: If the child is not found within 10 minutes call the police.
¨ Don’t hesitate ….. the police would rather get a second call saying that the child has been found, then to discover too late that the child has been abducted.
Step Four: If the child is found and appears to have been lost and unharmed, reunite the child with parent or guardian.
Step Five: If the child is found accompanied by someone other than the parent or legal guardian:
¨ Use reasonable efforts to delay the departure of the adult accompanying the child, but do not put yourself, the staff or people around you at risk.
¨ Call the police and identify the person accompanying the child.
Step Six: Conclude the incident by saying “Code Adam Cancelled” on the PA. In our case announce the cancellation over the radio and verbally.
¨ Facility management must report the incident to loss prevention even if the child temporarily wandered, triggering the “Code Adam” Alert.
5. Putting the six steps into perspective for library employees: See “Code Adam Alert” below: In an effort to establish a format which addresses all the six steps listed above, I have developed a form which should meet the required steps. The use of this form would guide all personnel through the required “Code Adam” steps.
“Code Adam” Instructions
Step 1: Quickly gather the following information: Do not exceed more then 10 minutes searching for the child. If the child is not found in 10 minutes call 911 and report the missing child. This is very important.
Part I: Time and Description
Time Reported Missing:________ Time 911 Called:_______
Name of Missing Child:____________________________
Age: ______ Hair Color: _________ Eye Color: _____________
Part II: Clothing Type: Remember, although the clothes may be changed, an abductor does not usually remove or change shoes.
Shoe Color: ______________ Style: __________________
Top: ___________________________ Color: _______
Bottom:___________________________ Color: ________
Name of Person Reporting Missing Child: _______________________
Relationship to Child: ___________________________
Step 2: Announce over radio and verbally “Code Adam Alert” “Code Adam Alert”.
¨ Give the description of the child above over the radio after announcing the alert.
¨ If you are receiving the alert information jot it down or complete the same form.
¨ Designated employees who have been assigned to the exits move to their position and immediately begin monitoring the exit.
¨ Do not allow anyone to exit any door except the main entrance.
¨ Send any patron attempting to exit to the main entrance.
¨ Security will respond to the main entrance immediately.
¨ Ask patrons with children who resemble the description of the lost child to move to the main entrance and see security.
¨ Security will ask patrons to wait until management arrives.
¨ Once Supervisor has arrived then ask the child his/her name and if the adult is their parent.
¨ If you took the report, and announced "Code Adam" escort the parent or guardian of the missing child to the main entrance to assist security with identification of the child.
¨ After hearing “Code Adam Alert” and writing the description of the child, all library employees begin looking for the child, immediately.
¨ All departments search your area in all places a child could possibly hide like restrooms, small cubby holes, locked and unlocked rooms, storage areas, cafe behind the soda machines, or any where you feel a child could hide within your area. Leave no stones unturned. There is no such thing as a place a child would not hide. Remember, When in doubt, Check it out.
Step 3: If the child is not found in 10 minutes call 911and report the child missing.
¨ The person who gathered the information must give a complete description using Step 1, information above.
¨ Do not wait for security to complete this requirement, because security will be monitoring patrons leaving and also checking outside areas.
¨ Give as much information as you can to the 911 operator.
Step 4: If the child is found and appears to have been lost and unharmed, reunite the child with parent or guardian.
¨ If the child was reported missing to 911: but has been found unharmed and appeared to only be lost, contact the police and advise them the child has been reunited with their family.
¨ Ask the police if you should contact 911 and let them know that the child has been found.
Step 5: If the child is found accompanied by someone other than the parent or legal guardian:
¨ Ask the adult to see security at the main entrance because they must gather some information from them for an Incident report.
¨ If they refuse, contact security over the radio once they walk away from you and tell them about the adult who found the child.
¨ Remember, use reasonable efforts to delay the departure of the adult accompanying the child, but do not put yourself, the staff or people around you at risk.
¨ If they don't walk away from you, send them to the main entrance to see security.
¨ If they insist on leaving once you have the child, follow them at a distance and complete the information below:
¨ Gather the below information when an adult who is not a parent or guardian brings the missing child to you.
¨ Security will call the police, if they are not on scene and identify the person accompanying the child.
¨ Give a complete description of the person using the following guide:
Part I: Description of Person
Name: (If Known)_________________________________
Approximate Age: __ Hair Color: _________ Eye Color: _____________
Complete Description of Clothing: (Shirt, pants, dress, colors and shoe type, etc.)
Part II: Type of Vehicle they left in:
License Number: ______________State: _______
Make: _________________ Model: __________________
Color: _________ Identifiable Damage: __________________
Step 6: Conclude the incident by saying “Code Adam Alert Cancelled” on the radio and verbally.
¨ Once the child is found: The Code Adam Alert must be cancelled.
¨ The person who initiates the "Code Adam Alert" must coordinate with security and the police to cancel the "Code Adam Alert".
¨ The person who initiates the "Code Adam Alert" must report to the police to assist in all required reports.
¨ The person who initiated the "Code Adam Alert" will be required to assist security in preparing an Incident Report.
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