Services Provided:

GASP has recruited and trained a large group of local volunteers. Every GASP volunteer has passed a stringent background check provided by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO). GASP volunteers provide a number valuable services to the Summit County community, including:

Search Teams

Many GASP volunteers have been trained by the SCSO to form Search Teams to assist law enforcement if a local child should be abducted and/or go missing.

In the event of the issuing of a missing child “Amber Alert” in Summit County, GASP volunteers will be immediately notified by the A CHILD IS MISSING national telephone “hot line’ system to respond and report directly to the SCSO Command Center. Trained GASP members would then be dispatched in organized zones to comb targeted neighborhoods and gather leads for local law enforcement.

Fingerprinting and Child ID

Since it’s inception in 2006, using traditional “ink and paper” equipment, GASP volunteers have fingerprinted over 2500 Summit County children at churches, schools and community events. In 2007, a local mother used fingerprints provided by GASP to assist the FBI to identify and safely return her children, who had been abducted and taken out of state, by her estranged husband.

In 2008, GASP acquired two state-of-the-art, digital EZ Child Identification Systems. This new technology will allow GASP to provide parents with a computer disc containing a permanent ID file, including fingerprints, a photo and an actual interview with each child.

Speakers Bureau

In conjunction with the SCSO, GASP has developed a Speaker’s Bureau to provide educational presentations to the Summit County community on various topics, including:

• Identifying and Dealing with Inappropriate Behavior (including family and friends)
  
• “Safe Escape”
  
• The Psychology of a Predator
  
• Internet Safety
  
• GASP – It’s History and Mission
  

Court Room Observation

GASP volunteers are advocating for stricter penalties and sentences for sex offenders by regularly attending and observing local trials and sentencing hearings. The presence of GASP volunteers at these legal proceedings sends a powerful message to judges and the community at large that GASP is watching to protect our children.

Scanning/Updating Predator Files

GASP volunteers scan and update the files of local sex offenders to ensure that the records are current, accurate and immediately accessible to local law enforcement.

Neighborhood Safety Patrols

In conjunction with the SCSO, GASP provides volunteers to patrol local neighborhoods distributing information relating to sexual crimes/criminals and to oversee children during special outdoor events, such as Halloween
"Trick-or-Treating."