With the start of another annual session of the Chautauqua County Fair, members of the Chautauqua District of Free & Accepted Masons, along with its sister group Order of the Eastern Star, as well as associated youth organizations of Demolay (boys) and Triangle (girls), will be once again sponsoring their Safety ID programs every day from 11 a.m. to 7p.m. or later.

The Masons have been running the Safety ID program in the Commercial Building for 27 years. What started out as a program aimed at protecting the youth, has expanded into providing assistance for vulnerable adults as well. The program works by compiling vital identifying information into a packet and on to a CD-ROM that can be given to the police in the event of an individual going missing.

Statistics report that statewide around 1,000 children or teens were reported missing in 2018, and 98 just in Chautauqua County alone. This does not count the number of adults that go missing, either by abduction, drug issues or elderly with dementia. The information compiled and given to the responsible caretaker or parent can be presented to authorities, to assist in the faster recovery of the individual.

Information compiled consists of photos, fingerprints, height, weight, identifying marks, eye and hair color and any other pertinent information. No personal data is requested, and nothing is recorded or kept. All information is turned over to the responsible parent, guardian or caretaker, and the program automatically deletes all data before cycling for the next person. The service is completely free of charge, and is a service performed for the benefit of the community by members of local Masonic Lodges under jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the state of New York.

The other program that the Masons run is the Safety ID bracelet program at the front and rear gates of the fair. This program has been ongoing for about 25 years, and is a fast and efficient way to help protect children while at the fair only. Children are given a paper bracelet with a number on it that corresponds with a ticket given to the parent or guardian that they come with. The parent or guardian name is also taken in the event that a child gets lost, and contacts a fair employee, police officer or EMT on sight, so that the parent or guardian can be paged. This service is only good at the fair, and only on that particular day of visit. A new bracelet needs to be given at each visit. This is a special service provided by the local Chautauqua District Masons and associated organizations.

These services are just a small portion of what the Masons have to offer the community, and its members and families. The Masons have been active in the county since before the first “Lodge” was officially formed in 1816 in Fredonia, (Then called Canadaway). Members have been an active part of every community in which they live and work. Those interested in more information about services provided, or to join a local Lodge, need only to contact a local member, or the current District Deputy Grand Master Richard Newton at 673-5378. Students seeking community service hours for school organizations, and who would like to assist with the Safety ID program at the Fair in exchange for an entrance pass (non-ride), may also contact the number above.