This does actually make sense. Searching is dangerous. If a large group of people show up to search the organisers are not going to be able to remember everyone's name and account for their safety, Showing ID when you turn up means they can count everyone properly and ensure nobody searching gets stuck/injured somewhere without anyone knowing.I don't know why people have a problem showing ID.
I have done this at other searches. I was told they have to see who goes out and who comes back.
It's for the safety of the searchers.
As for this being a staged kidnapping for a cash grab I really don't think so. The posts by admin on facebook recently have said things to the kidnapper like "you've made your point" etc. so I really think someone took Aleah for revenge to get at Cara or Donna. I don't think the people helping search etc. have presented themselves very well but not everyone is social media savvy. One person asked early on in the case if google could give them satellite images of Evansville the night Aleah was taken, they seemed to think google have live images of everywhere 24/7. So I think a lot of people involved in this case are well meaning but maybe just a bit dim and that may be why they're not presenting themselves very well online.