Code Adam and more

We are all aware of the rampant growth of abduction and murder cases in Malaysia. It pains to hear such morbid news. It's not surprising when all parents become paranoid about the kids' safety. But how much do we actually know about the basic principles of safety of our kids? It strikes at my primal fear that it doesn't take more than a minute to have a total stranger lure away a kid on the pretext of looking for a lost puppy.

I was also bewildered at the new safety rules offered by numerous websites. Prior to reading these safety measures, it had never occurred to me to teach Gooly to yell, "You are not my father/mother." when an attempt is made to snatch him away. I am sure we have eye-witnessed at least a scene of an impatient parent dragging away the feet-stomping child on a bad shopping day. And we watched in silence or looked away, embarrassed.

My point is we always assume that the parent has had a rough day and is taking the sobbing child home. But when the case is otherwise, a malice at its deepest, darkest core, how would we know unless the child tells us so? It's a simple thing that not many are aware of.

I also chanced upon Code Adam - a kid safety program in the US at Wikipedia. It is named in memory of Adam Walsh who was abducted and then murdered. Basically it has the following six steps:
1. when a child is reported missing at a mall, a detailed description is obtained while all exterior access to the building is locked and monitored
2. as designated employees monitor front entrance, the other employees begin looking for the child
3. if missing child is not found after 10 minutes, law enforcement is called
4. if found and seem unharmed, the child is reunited with family members
5. if the child is found, but not with the parent(s) or legal gurdian, reasonable efforts to delay their departure will be used without putting the child, staff or visitors at risk. Law enforcement will be notified
6. the code page will be cancelled after the child is found or law enforcement arrives

Even with such codes, innocent children are still missing everyday. But it is a measure that we need to have, to say the least. It's very primitive that the only safety tool our MEGA malls have in Malaysia is the CCTV with its blurry images.

Meanwhile, dear parents, read up and protect our children the way we are mandated to do. There are endless webpages which offer safety advice and tips. And there are all a click away. Lastly, my prayers to all the missing angels..