Washington State Patrol is adding a Missing Indigenous Person Alert System to its Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit alerts, according to a statement from the law enforcement agency.
Carrie Gordon, director of WSP's Missing and Unidentified Person Unit, called the addition a significant step for the state and for WSP.
The alert system was rolled out Friday, July 1.
Gordon said WSP knows indigenous people go missing at a significantly higher rate than the general population.
"WSP currently has two full-time tribal liaisons that work with tribal law enforcement and advocacy groups to coordinate state communications and response to this issue," Gordon said.
Gordon said the new M.I.P.A. system will be another tool for the state to rapidly respond and that the hope is it will allow WSP to find and assist indigenous people who are in danger.
"Hopefully, like our other alerts, the system will not be needed very often," she said. "But when it is needed and used, we feel it can be a very helpful tool in recovery."
Not every missing person qualifies for the various missing persons alerts in the system, according to WSP. So, who does?
—An indigenous person is missing due to unexplained, involuntary, or suspicious circumstances, and/or is believed to be in danger because of age, health, adverse weather, or other circumstances and is believed to be unable to return to safety without assistance.
—There is enough descriptive information available that could reasonably assist with the safe recovery of the person such as: photos, height, weight, age, hair color, distinguishing physical characteristics, clothing, etc.
—The incident has been reported to and is being investigated by law enforcement.
Once an M.I.P.A. is activated, all Washington law enforcement will be notified electronically and M.U.P.U. will distribute the information via email and fax to a list of subscribers.
Then, the investigating agency will notify the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children if the missing person is under 21. WSDOT will begin displaying known vehicle information on the Variable Message Signs and Highway Advisory Radios in appropriate areas. Cable and local broadcasters will also be alerted, and have the information so they can share with their audiences.
"The variable message signs are important tools in many recoveries, but alerts are only placed on them if a known vehicle is involved so not every alert issued by WSP will be posted on highway signs or on the highway radio alert system," the statement reads.
The debut of the Missing Indigenous Person Alert System was hailed as a collaborative effort.
"We are very appreciative of the leadership, assistance, and support of the state's legislature on this matter," said WSP Chief John R. Batiste in a statement.
"Their allocation of the funds needed for both the technical and personnel costs associated with expanding our missing person alert systems has made this Missing Indigenous Person Alert system possible. It is the first like it in the United States, and we are hopeful it will be a powerful tool in location and recovery efforts."
