REPORTER: So, back in 2006, the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office started Operation Safe Child.
AMY DUDEWICZ: Operation Safe Child is our opportunity to get out in the community to see what we could do or what people wanted. I'd like to think that children and/or families, when we show up in a non-threatening manner, see law enforcement as the protection that we are.
PAUL WATKINS: I think it really does just personalize the law enforcement to establish those long-term relationships with the families and build them so we don't have to make those reactive calls.
WOMAN: So are we focusing a little bit on the education on neglect tonight?
AMY DUDEWICZ: Yeah, that's a big issue.
We're now going out with our department social workers, and so we started taking that proactive approach of what is going on at home that's preventing the child from getting to school? And that's where we would end up finding far more serious issues. And I think people realize, "Hey, they're watching."
MAN: Two of her six children were in the street, ages three and four.
AMY DUDEWICZ: Child abuse and neglect isn't something that people want to talk about. It's not something that people even realize is a problem. I think doing Operation Safe Child makes the entire process that much better. We're aware that they're not going to school, and we might be back to make sure that they do. And they have even that much more opportunity to disclose if something were to happen.
As a sergeant, I try to lead by example. Children are telling us their truths, and the way we respond to that is paramount to success later.
MANUEL GONZALES: Amy is the voice for the children, and it's impactful. These kids are counting on them, and that may be their only hope.
AMY DUDEWICZ: I'm driven when we do see the occasional child that feels good about having told their story and it ends in a positive outcome. I'm driven by trying to unmask the veil of child abuse and neglect. If we don't, how would we ever find these victims at all? Because that is our business. That's everybody's business. Child welfare should be all of our concern.
