Shelter issues ID cards

 

Staff cites improved security, help during emergencies

 

BY DENISE D. TUCKER

dtucker@argusleader.com

 

Identification cards are being issued to clients of the Good Shepherd

Center to help ensure security and aid staff members and law enforcement

officials in emergency situations.

 

The center at 300 N. Main Ave. - a daytime shelter for the homeless and

those in need - provides a shower and laundry facilities.

 

In February, Good Shepherd received a $25,000 state grant to pursue an

identification program, said Maria Rae, the center's executive

director. In June, Citibank employee Giri Vattikonda began volunteering to help

set up the computer program for the center.

 

Last week, the staff began processing and issuing the cards, which

include photographs, to the clients.

 

"We've done 144 so far," Rae said. "We expect to make up to 300."

 

Clients will use the cards to gain access to the center. They will have

to swipe the card to enter the building. The cards also will help the

staff keep track of who is in the center and when someone last visited.

 

"Some of the information we take is their name, current address, who to

contact in an emergency, mental or medical issues and what medications

they are on," Rae said. "If there is an emergency, we're able to assist

the police or ambulance (personnel).

 

"If we haven't seen them (clients) for a while, we can see when we last

saw them, where they might be staying and who might know where they

are," Rae added.

 

Sioux Falls Police Chief Doug Barthel said he supports using the ID

cards.

 

"I see it doing nothing but good for us," he said. "In our line of

work, we always have to identify people. Right now, there are a lot of

homeless and transient people without a (driver's) license."

 

The information on the card will make it easier for police to deal with

people who need medical assistance, Barthel said.

 

"Heaven forbid if someone dies with no identification; that makes our

job difficult in getting ahold of relatives," he said.

 

Stan No Heart, 46, of Sioux Falls, who visits the Good Shepherd Center

on a daily basis when he isn't working, said getting a new ID card

didn't bother him.

 

"When cashing a check, banks ask for two forms of ID, and a lot (of

them) won't accept a Social Security card," he said. No Heart also uses

his card from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of Fort Yates, N.D., for

identification.

 

Clients will begin swiping their cards to enter the Good Shepherd

Center on Monday.

 

"The first week is going to be interesting," No Heart said. "People

will try to find ways to get in without their card."

 

Rae said the staff is prepared and will conduct random card checks.

 

Reach Denise D. Tucker at 331-2335.