Realtors on board with missing children program
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Updated: November 09, 2009 5:29 PM
Realtors in Greater Victoria will be keeping their eyes and ears open when there is a report of a missing child.
The Victoria Real Estate Board has linked its Touchbase communications system to B.C. RCMP’s Amber Alert program, which sends instant information when a child is missing.
“It makes a whole lot of sense when you consider we have 1,300 members out on the road at all times,” said Chris Markham, president of the board. “There’s a good chance (we’d see something useful). We’re sprinkled all over town.”
Touchbase can disseminate instant messages to real estate agents’ mobile devices.
Amber Alert has been activated eight times in B.C. since it was adopted in 2004.
The system affected Victoria in July 2008 when a 10-year-old girl reported missing in Cumberland was found in the city.
ecardone@vicnews.com
Amber alert
• An amber alert may be issued in time-critical child abduction cases, but not in situations where the child is not believed to be in imminent danger.
• The alert prompts radio and TV stations to broadcast a special announcement to enlist the public’s help in spotting a suspect or their vehicle, or the child.
