Just Nosey Enough
Information for reporting a missing person and community tips that you can use to help responders find a missing person faster and bring them home safe. Calling 911 immediately when a person has wandered and gone missing, gives responders the best chance of recovery.
For bloodhounds like Rex the Rescue Pup, (pictured above) being nosey is a very good thing! Trained K9s use their nose to find missing persons and bring them home safe. This is especially important when it comes to protecting those with Alzheimer’s Disease or children with autism who are at high risk of wandering and going missing.
But is it a good thing when people are nosey? For those who have been located because a neighbor noticed something strange and reported it to law enforcement, being just nosey enough is not only very good but it can save a missing person’s life.
Scent Evidence K9 CEO, Paul Coley, is on a mission to help communities and law enforcement agencies improve their methods of locating missing persons. One of the biggest problems facing responders is the amount of time that passes before the incident is reported. Every minute that passes can increase the distance a lost person will travel and decrease the success rate of a search.
Call 911 Immediately
If a family member or someone you provide care for has gone missing, DON'T WAIT. Call 911 and report the incident immediately. The sooner responders are notified, the sooner they can begin searching.
Coley started the Just Nosey Enough program to help create community awareness about reporting a missing person immediately and how looking out for your neighbors can help bring the lost home. “Florida has over 580,000 residents with Alzheimer’s Disease and studies show that 3 in 5 of those will wander. Time is one of the biggest factors during a search for a missing person,” stated Coley.
Children with autism are also at high risk of wandering. The American Pediatric Association states that almost 50% will wander and go missing at least once before age 17.
5 Easy Ways To Be Just Nosey Enough
- If someone is missing, CALL 911 immediately.
- Check your back yard or garage when someone in your area has been reported missing. Most people are found within a 1/2 mile to 1 mile from the place they were last seen.
- If you see someone that needs help or is acting strange, lost, or confused, report it!
- Dress those you love and care for who are at risk of wandering in High-Visibility clothing. Bright colors are easy to see.
- Stay connected with your neighbors. Use social networking to communicate quickly and know your Neighborhood Watch information.
Being Just Nosey Enough Can Save A Missing Child's Life
Child safety activist and abduction survivor, Elizabeth Smart posted this example of how the awareness and quick action of everyday people helped rescue her.
Keeping your eyes and ears open are important ways to help responders find a missing person but did you know there's something you can do to protect those you love and care for before they get lost or go missing?
Preparing a Scent Kit in advance will make sure that K9 responders have an uncontaminated scent article to search with. Having a Scent Kit allows responders to begin searching immediately with a pure source that hasn't been touched by family members, other people, pets, etc. This reduces the time it takes to locate a missing person and increases the accuracy and recovery success of the search. A Scent Kit only takes minutes to complete and lasts up to 10 years.
Learn more about Scent Kits HERE.
