Kids get inkless ID kits

Perhaps no amount of precaution could completely safeguard a parent's child but the Yuma County Foothills Library no stranger to a reliable filing system offered a measure of security with its children's ID kits Friday.

At its busiest, the line was 30 deep as parents and children waited to get a free identification document with the help of the library and Yuma County Sheriff's Office volunteers.

Along with a photograph and physical description, children also received fingerprints to preserve a record in case they are ever lost. And because fingerprints were taken electronically with a computer accessory, the wait in line was thankfully brief.

Foothills resident Amy Gay brought her five children. Gay, who moved to Yuma eight years ago, said she had the same procedure when living in San Diego.

"My husband is Border Patrol but I like having the extra security. Any ID information that's up to date is always good to have. Better safe than sorry."

Gay said the colored photos and inkless fingerprints were professionally produced and it was a great opportunity for any resident to take advantage of.

Kameli Gay, 8, a student at Sunrise Elementary School, said she thought fingerprinting "was really cool because we got to keep these cute little bears" (complimentary gifts to the children), she noted.

"It was kind of like picture day at school but I like this picture better because at school a big light goes off but here you can be yourself," Kameli said.

She was also excited to tell her girlfriend at school, Aubrey, because they are best friends and they "tell each other stuff."

Maggie Hernandez is the Foothills Library assistant for youth services. The Foothills branch will have the first anniversary of its 13226 S. Frontage Road opening on Sept. 20 and though they have provided ID kits for children for 10 years, this the first year it was done at the new branch, she said.

"Our calendar is jam-packed with activities and all our programs are free, like our Saturday movies. But the point of today is to have a reference to go to if a child ever gets lost. It won't stop a child from wandering away but at least we can see what their fingerprints look like."

Paul Lerma, a YCSO volunteer, was one of five who helped with fingerprinting. YCSO volunteers number 45 and are often assigned to civic functions such as the library event or helping to route traffic at high school games or dances to free up sheriff's deputies for law enforcement, he explained.

Lerma is a retired social worker who also served in the U.S. Air Force as a field medic performing air evacuations. He noted most every parent is concerned about the safety of their child and the ID kits eliminated a lot of anxiety.

The inkless fingerprints were so simple and clean, he hopes all law enforcement agencies are now adopting the same procedure, he said.

"We have a good turn out here. We're scheduled for just an hour and a half but we'll stay until we get everybody. A lot of cute little kids out here."

"Last year it was a mess. Yikes! Especially with the little guys. They went black and blue."

In addition, YCSO volunteers recommend to parents to include a lock of their child's hair in order to have a DNA sample. Printouts of the IDs are retained by the parents only. And parents are advised to store the IDs in a plastic bag and keep them in the freezer section of a refrigerator in case of a fire or flood.

"A lot of the parents appreciate the kits since it gets some of their vital statistics on one sheet of paper," Lerma said.