Saskatoon police flooded with missing person reports
3rd most frequent type of call police receive
Missing person reports are now the third most frequent type of call Saskatoon police receive.
They have fielded 1,389 of these calls in the past six months. Some of these cases involve criminal activity, but most involve runaway youth.
Hiring more police is only part of the solution to the skyrocketing number of reports, said Sue Ramsay of Child Find Saskatchewan. She said everyone must channel more energy into unearthing the reasons for the surge.
"We have to figure out what our children are running from and what they're running to," Ramsay said.
Let them know that you're there and be there for them.- Sue Ramsay, Child Find Saskatchewan
Some children run away to flee abuse, she explained; others run to feed an addiction.
There are modern pressures facing these kids and their families, too: "Busy parents; parents that are not at home when they used to be," said Ramsay.
"There is the whole online social media platform bullying issue that seems to have arisen, so it is unfortunate we are seeing these numbers and we've just got to get behind it."
Ramsay said it's also vital for kids to know that adults care.
"Let them know that you're there and be there for them," she said. "Let them know the conversation is open and they can talk to you."
Child Find hosts events to educate youth about the dangers of life on the street. For kids that feel they have no choice but to flee a dangerous home, Child Find informs them there are agencies and people who can help them avoid street life.
Last week, the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners recommended the hiring of six new officers in part to deal with the surge in call volumes. City council will make a decision during budget deliberations, which begin later this month.
Regina stats
From Jan. 1 to June 30 of this year, the Regina Police Service have received 767 missing person reports.
In 2015, the police service generated 1,406 missing person cases and all but two were solved. Those reports involved 725 people.
Of the total missing person cases in 2014 in Regina, 63 per cent involved people under the age of 18.