Cpl. Bart Veal

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-798-2368 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Protecting our Children (Revised)

The recent abduction and murder of 11 year-old Carlie Brucia in Sarasota Florida is a sign that our judicial system is failing to keep violent offenders and sexual predators behind bars. The suspect in this case, Joseph Smith, had been arrested at least 13 times in Florida since 1993, and according to state records was arrested in 1997 in Manatee County on kidnapping and false imprisonment charges, but was acquitted a year later.

In light of the recent events in Florida, the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department has asked the Texarkana Arkansas School Officials for permission to educate students in our community on how they can avoid or escape abduction, starting Monday February 9th of 2004.

Chief Harrison will be sending an officers to public and private schools to make students aware of the dangers of violent predators, and inform them of ways they can avoid and reduce the risk of becoming a victim of this rare, but serious threat.

“It is important that, as parents and law enforcement officials, we do more to educate our children about violent predators and ways to escape these kinds of criminals.” Chief Harrison.