By ALYSSA FLECK
Contributing Writer
PLATTSBURGH — While children lined up at Champlain Centre mall to take pictures with McGruff the crime dog, their parents lined up with safety in mind.
The Safe Child Identification Card Program, sponsored by the Clinton County Sheriff's Department and the Criminal Justice Club of Clinton Community College, offered free ID cards with a child's photo and fingerprints as a way to stay one step ahead in the event of an emergency.
"When it comes to awareness of children endangerment, any tools available for the children's parents are beneficial," said 29-year-old Criminal Justice Club member Joel Settevendemios.
UPDATE EVERY YEAR
With two hours to go Saturday, 33 cards had been distributed, with hopes of reaching about 50 by the end of the day, Deputy C.J. Wolff said.
He said the Sheriff's Department encourages parents to participate in the program and noted that the children's cards should be updated annually.
"Any information that we can get, should the worst happen, makes our job that much easier. It's all about keeping the kids safe and getting them back to their families."
PRECAUTIONS
Plattsburgh resident Kerri Mulvaney said she brought her 5-year-old daughter, Brenna, to update her card as a safety measure, "just in case anything ever happens to her."
Mulvaney, who first received an ID card for her daughter two years ago, said she knows many other people who have gotten their children cards, as well, adding that it is absolutely beneficial.
Brian Marino of Peru said he previously secured identification cards for his two older children and came to the mall to get his 1-year-old daughter, Madi, a card as well.
"It's nice to have something in your wallet just in case something happens," Marino said. "Unfortunately, in today's world, you never know."
LEARNING TOOL
Criminal Justice Club members, who were in their first year of aiding the Sheriff's Department with the program, took turns dressing up as McGruff as a way to draw in children during the Safe Child event. They also worked with the department to make the ID cards.
"McGruff is a good way to identify (with) the children because they're more likely to be attracted to a dog," Club President Jackie Soulia, 20, said.
John Mockry, who is club adviser and Criminal Justice Department chairman at Clinton Community, said the event was "very crowded" and "going really well."
Mockry, who said people in law enforcement often work with children, said it is important for the club members to gain hands-on experience as a way to build people skills and give back to the community.
REACHING OUT
Club members have been doing community-service projects as a way to get that hands-on experience.
Projects last year included a Halloween safety awareness event and a December fundraiser for STOP Domestic Violence, which earned $400.
"We raise a lot of money," Club Secretary Allison Davis, 18, said. "There are a lot of people in the Criminal Justice Club who are very proactive and care a lot about the community."
Davis said she was never very involved in high school and wanted to join the Criminal Justice Club as a way to change that.
"It's kind of like a learning club. You do a lot of community service, and in the process you learn a lot about the field."
