Children ID Cards

The Highland Beach Police Department has developed a child identification card to offer those families that reside in our town. Why a child ID card? An ID card can be a lifesaver in an emergency by providing important medical information, including allergies and other medical conditions, emergency contacts and even a medical release signature to first responders, law enforcement or others in the event of an injury or accident.

The safety of our children is what is most important to all of us. According to The United States Department of Justice, approximately 797,000 kids are reported missing each year - that's 2,185 kids on average every day. It's estimated that 34% of American parents wouldn't be able to accurately describe their child to law enforcement, including details of exact height and weight as well as their child's eye color. Child ID cards answer these questions. The child ID cards are not a microchip, monitoring system or other tracking device, but it does have the child's full legal name, address, birth date, height and gender. Should your child have an ID card? The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children recommends that all kids have and carry identification cards.

Along with the ID cards, the police department will provide you with a Child Safety Kit which was developed by the Polly Klaas Foundation. The free kit includes information such as:

• Asking for help when no trusted adult is nearby.
• Unacceptable adult behaviors that can threaten children.
• Recognizing dangerous situations.
• Ways to respond to dangerous situations and keep safe.

The Child Safety Kit tells parents what they need to know, and how to say it to their children. Additionally, the police department will offer to fingerprint of your child, for you to keep for your records.

For more or information, contact the Highland Beach Police Department at 561-266-5800 to learn more.