Missing persons campaign helps empower residents
The drive was aimed to better equip the community in the event of a loved of going missing.
Ward 27 Clr Lornette Joseph, along with the Benoni CPF, has taken the guess work out of what vital information is needed by the SAPS should a loved one go missing.
Gathering at CR Swart Dam on July 20, members of the community, the elderly and parents were invited to participate in the city’s first Missing Elderly and Children Awareness Campaign.
During the drive, vulnerable persons and guardians were encouraged to complete personal information forms, which included fingerprints and space for photographs, which could quickly be circulated to the SAPS and other stakeholders when reporting a missing person.
“We have noted with concern that reports of missing persons are on the rise, countrywide,” said Kim Morrow, Benoni CPF Sector One chair.
“In times like these, it is vital that personal information relating to the missing person is circulated as quickly as possible. When a person is overcome by panic, information such as height, weight and distinguishing features is difficult to recall.”
Following in the footsteps of a Pink Ladies drive recently held in Cape Town, Joseph partnered with the CPF to launch a similar drive by making uniform and concise forms available to the Benoni community.
“It is important to note that the forms are not held by any organisation or law enforcement agency and are not fed into any database,” she said.
“The forms are available to all members of the community and remain in their possession for it to be regularly updated.
“However, should a loved one go missing these forms are handed in to the police when reporting a missing person.
“Information contained therein will assist in the speedy circulation of the person’s particulars and hopefully assist in them being found timeously.”
Proactive
Guiding her daughter through the fingerprinting process, Madeleine Bekker of Northmead said her daughter’s safety is her priority.
“I will do everything in my power to safeguard my child,” she said.
“The thought of her going missing is one of my greatest fears. I am completing this form praying that I will never need to use it but being proactive is vital.”
Douglas Farmey of Rynfield said as a pensioner one has to accept that your memory can fail you at any moment.
“My wife and I will hand these forms to our daughter for safe-keeping,” he said.
Massimo Martinuzzi watched as CPF members measured and weighed his son, Aaron (4).
“This is a fantastic initiative. Parents do not want to think of kidnapping, I believe that arming yourself and your child with knowledge is the only way to stay safe in a world which is becoming more unsafe.”
Joseph said as an extension of the drive, she is in the process of creating a database of very important pensioners (VIPs) living within her ward.
“I have created a digital document to collect personal information of elderly residents living alone,” she said.
“With the help of the CPF, my team and I will endeavour to contact registered persons daily to ensure that they are safe and well.
“In the event of courtesy calls going unanswered, CPF members have committed to conduct wellness checks to ensure that the residents do not need help or assistance.”
The document is available upon request.
Anyone interested is welcome to contact her via WhatsApp on 083 847 4510.
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