What not to do when reporting a missing person
SANDTON – The methods used to find a missing person are important and Eblockwatch founder has provided some insights into the process.
With every missing person’s case, there’s a backstory that needs to be figured out, which could provide insight into their disappearance.
This is according to the founder of Eblockwatch and Bryanston resident, André Snyman, who discussed what to do in a missing person’s case and how acting on impulse could be detrimental to the missing person. This is for his weekly column in the print version of the feature, How Secure Are You?
It is an online and print security feature in partnership between Eblockwatch and the Sandton Chronicle.
Snyman cleared up some of the definitions related to missing people. He said there are missing people, runaway people and human trafficking.
According to Snyman, human trafficking and kidnapping are often linked. “It’s often people involved in illicit activities, who cannot pay and the person they owe, then threatens to/or kidnaps a family member for a ransom.”
He said the difference between a missing person and a runaway person is that the runaway wants to get away. “A missing person could be both, so it is important that we get the backstory to make an informed decision.
“So before mobilisation takes place, it’s important to understand the circumstances because the methods used could be detrimental to the missing and/or runaway person.”
Snyman said the worst thing to do is to put it up on social media, where it often goes viral before the circumstances behind the disappearance have been established.
“The first thing to do is to check your immediate environment, both physical and private networks such as family or friends to ask whether they know anything.”
He said after that, check your broader network and contact the police to open a case.
“The search needs to be coordinated from a central point to avoid misinformation spreading. This is where Eblockwatch gets involved by connecting the different networks together and coordinates efforts with the relevant roleplayers through Eblockwatch’s digital connected network to make collective decisions.”
He said there is a fine line when looking for a missing person. To join Eblockwatch, send a Whatsapp to 082 561 1065.
What do you think about the way missing persons’ cases are handled? Share your views with us on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page.
