An agreement has been formalized between Freestone County Sheriff's Office and the A Child is Missing Alert Program putting a high tech program in place to aid in the search for missing children, elderly, college students and persons who may be mentally or physically challenged or disabled.

Starting immediately, upon receipt of missing persons calls, the sheriff's office will call a toll-free number to the program headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The call, answered 24 hours a day, initiates a rapid process of information gathering and use of mapping systems, launching potentially thousands of telephone calls within minutes with an alert message detailing a missing person's description, last known whereabouts and pertinent information.

The alert message also will include the sheriff's office

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telephone number for use by anyone with information relating to the missing person.

The program is a free service to law enforcement agencies. Deputies will evaluate each potential activation to ensure the application is appropriate to the case and to ensure the system is optimally used.

Polices, procedures and employee training also guide use of the program.

Telephone mumbers called in an alert include listed numbers in the selected area, but do not include cell phone numbers, unlisted numbers or TDD/TTY devices. These numbers can be added to ensure they are also called in an alert.

To enter a cell phone number, unlisted number or TDD/TTY devide in the system, visit www.achildismissing. org and click on "add your name" to enter your name, number and address.

A Child is Missing is a nationwide non-profit organization that helps law enforcement agencies locate missing persons.

The program utilizes computer mapping systems and trained technicians with the capacity to place 1,000 alert phone calls in one minute to residents and businesses in the area where someone has been reported missing.

To date, efforts of A Child is Missing have been credited with more than 590 safe assisted recoveries.