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Missing but not forgotten New RCMP unit saw 970 people reported missing in Burnaby last year
N
ine hundred and seventy – that’s how many people were reported missing in Burnaby last year and according to the department’s new missing persons unit coordinator, the numbers are on the rise. Cpl. Antonio Guerrero oversees a fourconstable plainclothes unit charged with investigating the city’s missing persons files. The unit is a dual-duty unit that also handles domestic violence investigations, which has its own coordinator specific to those cases. The department combined the two types of investigations because of their high-risk nature but Guerrero expects that one day, the units will be separated. “Especially as this trend, this foreseeable trend, continues. As far as calls for service increasing, our future goal is to have two separate units,” he said. Guerrero said one of the reasons why the number of missing persons reported is on the rise could be because of two medical centres within Burnaby’s borders. According to Guerrero, 277 people were reported missing from Burnaby Hospital’s mental health unit and the Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addictions last year – nearly 29 per cent of all reported missing persons in Burnaby. “These are ones that are difficult to investigate despite the help of family and help from our other partners,” he said. “Those people tend to lead a certain
Name: Angela Arseneault Missing since: August 1994 Last seen: Aug. 19, 1994
Name: Bryan Braumberger Missing since: June 2007 Last seen: May 31, 2007
the centre, in 2013 there were 14,193 peolifestyle that’s high-risk and on top of ple reported missing in British Columbia that they left voluntarily and they don’t, – Burnaby’s 970 reports accounts for nearin most cases, want to be found by the ly seven per cent of the provincial total. police. The majority of the time they do Of the 14,193 reports, 7,262 were adults return, but at the same time we have to and 6,931 were children. The data also make sure we follow our protocol and go shows that more than 50 per cent of all through the investigation as thoroughly files are closed within 24 hours of the as possible just to prevent … a negative reports being made, while more than 85 outcome. We just want to make sure we per cent are closed within one treat everyone with the approweek. priate resources and time.” WHERE Guerrero agreed most of the The same can be said about youth running away from group ARE THEY? cases are solved quickly and his four constables typically only homes, Guerrero added, but he take over an investigation if the was unable to provide the NOW case is deemed high-risk. with how many youth from Children, seniors, physically group homes were reported disabled people, and mentally missing. and medically ill people are all In fact, Guerrero couldn’t considered high-risk because provide any specific data in regards to the demographics of A SPECIAL REPORT of the specific needs they often BY CAYLEY DOBIE have, Guerrero said. It’s up to missing persons files handled the responding officer to review by the department because he the case and decide whether or doesn’t have access to the data – not it should be upgraded to it is compiled by a civilian staff high risk. member separate from his unit. Guerrero “The uniform investigator … speaks to added in an email to the NOW that due to a shortage in “civilian staff specializing in their supervisor and goes through those that field, a complete report would not be risk assessments. Would this constitute as a high-risk person, in our definition? available at this point in time.” When they’re identified as high-risk missIn Canada, demographics on missing, then these four investigators will get ing persons are tracked by the National engaged and they’ll take over the file,” he Centre for Missing Persons. According to
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Name: Guifeng Tong Missing since: January 2013 Last seen: Jan. 16, 2013
Name: Asim Chaudhry Missing since: July 2007 Last seen: July 20, 2007
9600 Cameron St., Burnaby Lougheed Plaza by Red Robin
said. In the initial steps of an investigation, the patrol officer dispatched to the call will interview family and friends of the missing person along with the person who made the report. Despite the rise in missing persons reported, the Burnaby RCMP does not share information on each individual case with media or the public unless the case is high-risk or if all avenues of investigation have been exhausted. Once this point is reached, and only then, will Mounties put out a release through media, Guerrero said. “I prefer it this way because, obviously, I’d like to see us do the background work first before reaching out,” he said. Further background work is the responsibility of the assigned officer. It’s up to them to determine any risk factors such as medical issues, suicidal tendencies or possible parental abduction, Guerrero said. “We’ll also ask about what kind of lifestyle they lead? Are they involved in the gang lifestyle? The drug trade? Do they have a history of going missing? That’s important,” he said. “And if so, how long have they gone missing before they come back?” If an individual is considered high-risk, Unsolved Page 3
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Richard.Lee.MLA@leg.bc.ca www.richardleemla.bc.ca