June 14, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 67 . . Report Missing Kid Immediately FROM PAGE 66 to send the information faster and to a larger area. Our sergeants, who ride the ATV’s, will also sweep the area searching for the lost individual. My hope is that the next time you are on the beach with your kids that you will take the time to implement some of the ideas that I have outlined. Having a plan that your child is aware of is a surefire way to make the process of reuniting the two of you much easier, if needed at all. I’m proud to say that the beach patrol has been able to return 100 percent of all the children who have been lost on the beach. CAPTAIN'S NOTE: The Beach Patrol reunites between 1,000 and 2,000 separated parties each year. Our records have included children 1 year old (how can anyone lose a 1 year old?) and confused adults into their 90s. However, most lost children are between 4 and 9 years of age and are returned within a few minutes. Also, most children become lost when each adult thinks another adult is watching the child. Therefore, communicate specifically who is watching the child throughout the day. A final statistic is that most lost children were being watched by the dads when they went missing. The most important thing you can do if you cannot locate your child is not panic and immediately report it to the SRT on your beach, rather than begin your own search. We may have already located your child Crew Chief Harrison Fisher stopped this little girl walking down the beach alone because she matched a look-out message for a missing 4-year-old girl in a purple bathing suit. She was located six blocks south of where the parents lost her and after a few minutes there was a happy reunion. Submitted Photo and are just waiting for someone to report the lost child. My wife has located many lost children over her years on the beach by being aware of how a lost child is acting and reporting to the SRT. Have fun and avoid the devastating feeling of a missing child. – Ryan Cowder Special To The Dispatch (The writer has been with the Beach Patrol for 15 years and is currently a sergeant. He is an assistant principal at Stephen Decatur High School.) WILLARDS VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY Kickoff To Summer BINGO OVER $ 5 , 0 0 0 IN PRIZE MONEY FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL S AT U R D AY JUNE 22 At The Willards Lions Club ADMISSION $50 Includes 1st Play Pack Paying $200 Per Game, 1 U-Pick For 4 Chances To Win $1,000, Dinner And A Raffle Ticket Doors Open At 5 pm. Early Birds Start At 5:30 p.m. Regular Games Begin At 7 p.m. 443-783-9399 WWW.WILLARDSFIRE.COM