INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – The Orlando Child Abduction Response Team will be participating in a mock child abduction exercise on May 19 to test the region’s capabilities. The exercise will span three counties, including Indian River County.
The event is part of a two-day review by Fox Valley Technical College during which the team will seek certification from the U.S. Department of Justice. The assessment will test the responses of CART team members and evaluate communication protocols, leads tracking systems, command post operations and search and rescue efforts.
The exercise will start at 10 a.m. It is based on a mock abduction and will include increased law enforcement activity in the area of the Indian River Mall from 5800 20th Street to 43rd Avenue and 26th Street.
As residents near the locations, they may notice an increased law enforcement presence.
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office, and the Vero Beach and Sebastian police departments are part of the Orlando Child Abduction Response Team locally.
Along with Indian River County, the exercise will be held in Seminole and Brevard counties at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., respectively. The Orlando Child Abduction Response Team is comprised of 83 agencies from state, local and federal agencies whose goal is to be prepared to quickly respond when a child is abducted or missing under suspicious circumstances.