Police provide advice on how to report a missing person

What to do if a loved one is missing? Petaluma police are offering advice, the first being to “act quickly and methodically” to report the absence to authorities.

The basic steps for reporting a missing person to police are generally similar, although individual reports and investigations may vary, said Lt. Zeus Rivera of the Petaluma Police Department.

“When a loved one goes missing, it is important to act quickly and methodically,” Rivera told the Argus-Courier.

First, it encourages people to make sure that the person is actually missing and is not late or unreachable. Is your phone turned off? Are you with someone else? Did they leave unexpectedly?

Once that information is confirmed, immediately report the missing person to local police, Rivera said, and provide them with all relevant information about the missing person, including full name, age, physical description, last known location and when they were last seen.

“You don’t have to wait 24 hours to file a missing person report,” he said. “Timely reporting can be crucial.”

Make sure you specifically ask about a missing person report and make sure the police start an investigation. As part of the investigation, they may contact hospitals, shelters, or places the missing person frequents.

It is also important to reach out to friends, family, or others the loved one may have recently seen or heard from. And look at the places they like to visit, such as school, work, a friend’s home, or local organizations.

“Whatever new information is obtained, communicate it to the investigating agency in a timely manner,” Rivera said.

He also encouraged people to contact law enforcement and “stay involved without overwhelming officers as they need time to gather information and conduct interviews,” he said.

Police may use social media, online alerts and other local, state or federal resources to assist in the investigation.

Rivera noted that most missing person reports are resolved within a few hours of the report because the person has been found. He encouraged people to remain calm and seek support in a stressful situation.

“Time is of the essence when someone goes missing. Therefore, acting quickly and organizing is key to maximizing the chances of finding the person,” he said.

Reach Staff Writer Jennifer Sawhney at 707-521-5346 or [email protected]. On X (Twitter) @sawhney_media.