Child Identification Program offered by Monticello Masons and police

MONTICELLO – The Monticello Freemasons will sponsor a child identification program on Saturday, May 21st from 9:00 AM to Noon on the upper level of the Ted Stroebele Neighborhood Facility on Jefferson Street, Monticello, with cooperation from the Village of Monticello Police Department. The program includes fingerprinting, DNA swabs, and videotape of children. All ID materials are given directly to parents.

The Masonic CHIP Program provides at no cost to parents: a three-minute videotaped interview with the child, fingerprints, and a DNA cheek swab.

Parents can sign up for all three parts of the program or any individual part of it.

The DNA cheek swab provides DNA material for both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA matching for more than 20 years when properly kept in a home freezer.

The Masonic CHIP service is recognized as the most comprehensive child recovery and identification program in the country. It has been hailed by the recovery officials at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, as well as law enforcement and forensic authorities.

The program is supported jointly by Monticello Lodge #532, Free & Accepted Masons, and the Village of Monticello police department. Local Masons will volunteer their time at the project.

Each child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The entire family is welcome. Free refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Det. Doug Tunno of the Village of Monticello Police Department youth division at (845) 794-4422 or Ernie Marchino, Master of the Monticello Lodge, at (845) 796-4822.