Captain Soffie Thigpen Liaison to GEMA/Homeland Security Atlanta, Georgia sthigpen@gsp.net 404-374-7698

1. Captain Soffie ThigpenLiaison to GEMA/Homeland SecurityAtlanta, Georgiasthigpen@gsp.net404-374-7698

2. History 101Service available for Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Throwaway

3. Amber Alert Created 1996 – 9 year old Amber Hagerman Arlington Texas As of Dec. 2008 – 432 Kids recovered

4. Levi’s Call • October 22, 1997 – Levi Frady • Forsyth County, Georgia • Frady Family joined LE, Emergency Managers, & Broadcasters to create Levi’s Call: Georgia Amber Alert

5. Mattie’s Call • 2006 General Assembly created for disabled and elderly

6. Kimberly’s Call • 2006 Legislators created an emergency alert issued by local LE when violent criminals are at large and may be of serious threat to the public

7. Georgia • 1999 – 2009 • 14 males are missing • 35 females are missing • All were under the age of 17 • Justin Gaines - Duluth

8. State of Georgia Child Abduction Response Team (CART)

9. Reason for CART • 11 year old Carlie Brucia • Evies Car Wash – Feb. 1, 2005 • Sarasota Florida • Body found- Feb. 6 • Charged Joseph Smith

10. Executive Order • On April 29, 2008, Governor Sonny Perdue signed an Executive Order creating the Georgia Child Abduction Response Team. • Florida 2005 • National 2006

11. State of GeorgiaChild Abduction Response Team GEMA – Mobile Command, Communications, Logistics, K-9 GBI – Investigations, Neighborhood Canvas, Intelligence, Forensics DHR, DJJ, P&P – Supporting Investigative Role DNR – Water and Ground Search Coordination DOC – Search Support, K-9 DPS – Perimeter Security, Roadblocks, Air Support

12. CART Assignments • Neighborhood Canvasses • Home Searches • Interviews • Identify Sex Offenders • Grid Searches (Foot, ATV, Air and Water) • Follow incoming leads • Develops additional leads

13. Initial Assessment by Local Law Enforcement • Witness Accounts • Information about the victim? • Activity victim was engaged in when last seen? • History of disappearances? • Prior incidents with family? • Any previous similar incidents in vicinity?

14. Activation • Missing child reported to local law enforcement agency • Local law enforcement agency contacts the GBI Communications Center • GBI Communications Center contacts Regional CART Coordinator (SAC of Regional Office) • Regional Coordinator gathers all information pertaining to missing child • Regional CART coordinator activates CART Team

15. Activation Criteria The occurrence of any of the following may initiate investigative and forensic involvement, assistance or coordination by CART members: • The non-family abduction of a minor child (under the age of 18); or • The abduction of a minor child with endangerment circumstances; or • Any other abduction or missing child investigation that requires immediate response in order to protect the well-being of the child.

16. Georgia Bureau of Investigation • Crime Scene Specialists • Forensic Computer Specialists • Intelligence Analysts • Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force • Special Agents for interviews, searches, etc. • Leads Management • Media Management

17. Department of Public Safety • Air Support • Roadblocks • Perimeter Security • Ground Search Assistance • Mobile Command Unit

18. Department of Natural Resources • 4-wheel drive vehicles • ATV search capabilities • Water search capabilities • Ground search assistance

19. GEMA • Mobile Command • Communications • Community Mapping • Community Resources • Logistical Resources

20. Department of Human Resources • Screen victim & family for case history • Search for Health and Human Services provided to victim and/or family • Available for interviews of young children, if necessary • Family/Victim Advocacy • Reunification

21. Department of Corrections • Offender searches to include all personal information for offender and potential behaviors, offenders currently in custody or on probation • Sex Offender Unit – compliance and supervision information • Area containment and ground searching • Canine tracking and cadaver search

22. Pardons and Paroles • Pardons and Paroles Case Management Systems searches • Search includes but is not limited to all those under Parole supervision in Georgia • Electronic Monitoring status (if available) • Parolee searches of residences/vehicles • Ground search assistance

23. Department of Juvenile Justice • Juvenile Offender searches for behaviors and acquaintances, etc. • Victim searches • Victim’s family searches • Ground search assistance

24. Department of Transportation • Barricading systems • Road sign assistance • Electronic Road signs • In the future, video footage of interstate travelers

25. Statistics show that approximately 60-150 children are murdered each year by an unknown offender in the course of a stranger abduction 44% of those die within the first hour 74% die within the first three hours 91% die within 24 hours of being abducted 99% die within 7 days of being abducted

26. CART Contact • To request activation of the State of Georgia CART: 1-800-282-8746

27. Captain Soffie Thigpen • 24/7 • 404-374-7698