Sheriff's office offering children's ID kits

The Henderson County Sheriff's office is alerting citizens of two upcoming items of interest. The Sheriff's Association of Texas has joined efforts with the American Football Coaches Association, FBI's National Child Identification Program, Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) and the office of Governor Rick Perry to provide ID kits to all Texas children, grades K-6.

This initiative will reach over 2 million Texas children, the fourth largest ID kit distribution in U.S. history.

With the help of Texas sheriffs and superintendents, ID kits will be distributed through the public school systems and sheriffs' offices. Students enrolled in the public school system in grades K- 6 will receive an ID kit through their superintendent. Each sheriff in Texas will also receive 600 kits to be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis to children who fall outside of the K-6 age range or do not attend public school.

Each kit contains an inkless fingerprinting card, DNA swab and preservation envelope, and a wallet card. All information can be completed by a parent or guardian and STORED AT HOME. In the event of an emergency, the ID kit can be handed over to authorities to help locate a missing child.

Additionally, invitations to become associated members of the Sheriff's Association of Texas will soon be mailed to Henderson County citizens.

The funds generated from such memberships provide critically technical resources, training and legislative support on key criminal justice issues. Dues are used to support crime prevention and awareness programs, promote public safety, fight drug abuse, provide additional training for sheriffs and their deputies, and provide scholarships for children of law enforcement officers.

Sheriff J. R. "Ronny" Brownlow says, "The Associated Membership Program was created to provide citizens with an opportunity to lend their support to more effective law enforcement, and to better help local sheriffs protect the lives and property of citizens. It provides funding which is vital to our mission in making our communities safer places to live, work and play. I encourage every citizen receiving a membership appeal to consider joining forces with us by becoming an associate member."

Contributions are tax-deductible. The Sheriff's Association of Texas does not make solicitations by telephone. If you receive a phone call from someone who uses the Sheriff's Association of Texas name, please report it to your local Sheriff or County/District Attorney Citizens are understandably leery of scams. The aforementioned items are legitimate.