Police offering free fingerprinting for kids
Tomorrow is National 'Missing Children's Day'

In connection with the upcoming National Missing Children's Day on Friday, May 25, the Simi Valley Police Department will conduct free fingerprinting for children from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, May 19 at the department, 3901 Alamo St.

The U.S. Department of Justice reports that 797,500 children younger than 18 were reported missing during the last year, resulting in an average of 2,185 children being reported missing each day.

The following suggestions will prepare parents in the event their child is reported missing:

+Keep a complete description of children on hand.

+Take color photographs of children every six months.

+Have a dentist prepare and update dental charts for children.

+Know where medical records for children are located.

+Have child fingerprinted by law enforcement experts and keep the fingerprints in a safe place.

+Keep a DNA sample from children, like an old toothbrush, in a brown envelope licked closed by the child.

Keep the envelope at room temperature in a dry place away from heat.

For more information, call Vicki Kaplan, Simi Valley Crime Prevention Unit, at (805) 5836908.