Now showing pictures of missing children
Now showing pictures of missing children
The Netherlands is now using a new tool to clarify matters that involve missing children.
300 ATMs - to be more
As the first country in the world, ATMs in the Netherlands should display pictures of the children.
The new initiative came into force last week and already there are over 300 ATMs that have activated the new "function".
The images, which will be displayed as screensavers in the ATMs, have initially arrived at ATMs at airports and shopping centers. But the Dutch authorities want to expand to several ATMs over time.
Encouraged to receive notifications on your phone
The ATMs show images based on two different sources: Amber notifications and Vermist Kind notifications. The former are messages sent out when a child is reported missing and in immediate danger. The other, the Vermist Kind, is missing-messages the authorities deal with when they are concerned about a child's well-being.
When the ATMs do not have pictures of children to display, an advertising campaign is run where Dutch residents are encouraged to receive Amber notifications on the phone.
Founder and chairman of Amber Alert Europe, Frank Hoen, is pleased with the new initiative.
- We are very pleased with this new and innovative collaboration and we hope other countries will follow this great example, says Hoen.