RSS FeedGRANTS - The wind blew dust through the air and the temperature was icy.
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Last August, the American Legion Riders helped to fingerprint more than 220 children from the Grants area. The project was formed as a way to identify lost, missing, or kidnapped children. When a child turns up missing, the police need a picture and the fingerprints to help determine who the child is, especially if the child is too young or is unable to tell adults his or her name and address.
They try to offer community members the chance to have their children fingerprinted every six months so that no child is forgotten. “This is just one way the parents can help the police to find and identify their children,” said Mark Ewell, who is chief of security for Cibola County Corrections Center but goes by the name of Underdog in the Legion Riders. He explained that the fingerprint packet is provided free to all children and includes a photograph of the child taken with a measuring stick that determines the child’s height at the time of the fingerprinting.
According to Ewell, “Once a child is determined to be missing, the file is given to the police and the case goes to Amber Alert, which means that everyone starts searching. The child’s picture goes on television within minuets of the alert,” he added.
“It is just a way to get the ball rolling faster, and to help out the parents and the police,” stated Ewell.
“Children of all ages are welcome, and frankly we are a little surprised that even in this bad weather people are coming out. So far today, [1:30 p.m. Saturday] we have had 81 kids fingerprinted,” said Shirley Gonzales, who uses the road name Weda. Gonzales and Charlie Allen [also known as Joker] both had their hands full fingerprinting babies and toddlers.
Mireya Ramos, age 11, had her prints and picture taken during the event. “It helps kids if they get lost or anything,” she said. “It can help the police find you if you are a lost or kidnapped kid. ”
The American Legion Riders are active in a variety of community projects. Their next event, a Motorcycle Poker Run is scheduled for March 19 to help the Grants High School JROTC raise funds to go to the national drill team competition. Last year the club raised about $3,000 dollars for the cadets and hopes to raise more this year.
Finally, the American Legion is sponsoring a raffle for a California Chopper Bicycle, and AM/FM CD sound system, a stainless steel travel thermos and many other prizes.
Raffle tickets are available at the American Legion Post 60 in Milan (tel. 876-5602) or Post 80 in Grants (tel. 285-3659), the Grants Motor Vehicle Department or Aaron Dean’s Carpet. The tickets cost $1 each, but must be bought before March 17. The proceeds go toward fingerprinting supplies and other items needed for community service projects.
By Kathleen O'Connor
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