|
(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman today joined with the Nebraska State Patrol in promoting the state’s Missing Persons Clearinghouse, an Internet Web site dedicated to helping Nebraskans find missing friends and family members.
“Finding someone who has gone missing is a complex and multifaceted process,” Gov. Heineman said. “Investigators know that the more information that can be gathered on a missing person, the greater the chance for their recovery. Putting a face with a name is one of the most valuable tools we have when it comes to these kinds of cases, which can range from a criminal investigation into the abduction of a child by a stranger or family member, to an investigation into the whereabouts of a runaway, and the Missing Persons Clearinghouse is a resource that provides Nebraskans with a way to help in the search.”
The Legislature established the Nebraska Missing Persons Clearinghouse with the passage of LB 111, known as Jason’s Law during the 2005 legislative session, which was introduced by Sen. Patrick Bourne of Omaha. The law was created on behalf of the family of Jason Jolkowski of Omaha. Jason was 19 years old when he disappeared from the front of his home on June 13, 2001. The listing with his picture and descriptive information were among the first adult information posted on the site when it was launched last December. His case remains active.
As the state’s law enforcement agency, the Nebraska State Patrol serves as the central repository for information on missing children and adults and as a result of Jason’s Law, created and maintained a Web site, which lists approximately 350 people at any given time.
The site has received nearly 7,800 hits since it’s creation. More than 2,900 individuals have been listed as newly missing since the start of the year. Nineteen individuals have been recovered, and more than 2,500 of the missing person reports have been canceled.
Col. Bryan Tuma, Superintendent of the State Patrol, said, “Information is the key ingredient when it comes to missing persons cases. We need the public to partner with families and law enforcement to find Nebraska’s missing, and the Nebraska State Patrol is dedicated to providing the public with access to as much information as possible to help accomplish that goal.”
There are currently 143 photos accompanying the 379 persons listed as missing on the Clearinghouse Web site. Families are encouraged to include a current picture and as much detailed information as possible when providing missing person reports to law enforcement agencies.
Law enforcement agencies, parents and relatives of the missing are encouraged to contact the Missing Persons Clearinghouse toll-free at (877) 441-LOST (5678), or 402-479-4986 to add or update a listing. The Nebraska Missing Persons Clearinghouse is available online at http://www.nsp.state.ne.us/missingpersons/index.cfm.
|
