For years, we have heard in various films and series that when someone is lost, you can report his case to the police only after 24 or 48 hours, we often read about it in books and stories. This is a very rooted myth that has been lingering for years and in many parts of the world has nothing to do with the facts. Even in the US, this is only a partial truth, because there depends a lot on state law and while in some regions you really have to wait, there may not be such requirements elsewhere, it also depends on the circumstances of the disappearance – explains Aneta Bańkowska, a psychologist associated with the Itaka Foundation – the search center of missing people. Nevertheless, this information from the momentum or habits is also duplicated by Polish filmmakers, which the newest example is the new series “Only one look” with Maria Dębska in the lead role.
Greta played by her in the first episode calls the police the same day, when her husband Jacek disappears and stops answering her phones. The duty officer does not accept the notification from her, because too little time has passed. Although such an answer may and agrees with the book original, because the series is a screening of the American novel written in 2003 with the same title, however, it makes Polish (and not only) viewers, which can have serious consequences. There is no regulation in Poland and there has never been a provision ordering the waiting two days before the application is made. The police should be notified about the disappearance as soon as possible – including Gliwice poviat authorities. The officers must accept the notification right away, because the quick reaction is especially important in search of children and older people with dementia.
The Polish Netflix series reproduces a stereotypical error. This is an old movie myth
Let us emphasize again: in the light of Polish regulations, if we are sure that someone has been lost or something bad has happened, regardless of whether he is a family member, friend, student or employee, It should be disappeared as soon as possible, to report to the police. This can be reported in the nearest police unit. If we suspect that an elderly person has disappeared, somehow dependent, someone who has problems with memory or is having a hard time and needs to take medicines at permanent times, we do not know what is happening to her, the more so Do not wait with the application – emphasizes the representative of the Itaka Foundation. A quick response is advisable, especially when the disappearance occurs at night, during the winter or potentially dangerous and difficult to search the area, e.g. in the forest, allotment gardens, in a secluded or post -industrial area.
The application should be made in person, In exceptional situations, however, the police can take health and life saving actions after notifying by phone. We are talking here about such cases when we cannot leave the house, and e.g. a small child or grandmother or grandfather disappeared with dementia during exceptional frosts inadequately dressed for the weather. Then we call first, and only then we try to reach the police station. When someone threatens the danger, do not delay and, for example, try to take the district first. It is also important that The disappearance can be reported literally after a moment from the exit. This is crucial when, for example, someone loved left home, saying that he is coming out with the intention of committing suicide.
The policeman must immediately accept the applicationregister a missing person in the police system, maintain constant contact with the family of the missing person and provide him with information about the searches. A person reporting disappearance has the right to ask for confirmation of acceptance of the notification, and the police should also inform him where the nearest organization is located in providing psychological and legal assistance to the families of missing persons – he tells
To report someone’s disappearance, we don’t necessarily have to be related to that person. We can report the disappearance in any case when we have knowledge or justified suspicion that someone could have been hurt or threatened with danger. For example: in a situation where we do not have contact with a friend whom we know that he lives alone, does not answer the phone, he is not at home, does not open the door, and he did not appear at work, the police should take the search. Nevertheless, you should not report to the police if, for example, we lost contact with a friend from school from years ago and we have no grounds as to suspect that they have really missed or, for example, a person met by a dating site ceases to suit us – such notifications will not be simply accepted.
When we report the disappearance, the police work will improve very much if we provide full personal information of the missing person. It is necessary to convey its current photo, describe the features of the external appearance, especially if it has any special characters (we are talking about scars, birthmarks, tattoos, earrings, etc.). The policeman accepting the application will also ask for a blood group, a description of clothes that she was wearing at the time of disappearance (including colors, logos and trademarks), as well as describing items that the missing person could have had with him. It is important to indicate the place and circumstances of the disappearance or determine its likely causes (could the family, professional, social situation have influence? Did there be any conflict? Did the missing person leave a letter? What could he upset her?). The police must also know if the person we are looking for with something, what addictions he has, what habits and tendencies. If we know about suicide trends, you must immediately inform the relevant services. It is also helpful to provide a list of names and addresses of persons or institutions to which a missing person could go.
What is worth doing before reporting a disappearance?
If we suspect that our loved one has been lost or something could happen to him, you should first try to contact him using various messengers. It may be that someone has discharged the phone, forgot him from home, there is no coverage, or he just doesn’t hear the bell and doesn’t know that we’re trying to get down. Meanwhile, he sits at work and has an available internet messenger in the form of a Messenger or an e-mail. If this is not effective, we speak to people who can know anything about the circumstances of the disappearance or as the last person we are looking for saw and can provide useful information. For example, if a partner does not answer calls from us, and we know that they should be at work, we can contact colleagues or bosses.
The fact that it is worth reporting disappearances show good statistics of the effectiveness of searching. Over 90 percent Lost people are found within the first 30 days of disappearance and usually without major damage to health. It is worth knowing that Submitting the disappearance does not result in any consequences for the person we are looking for. It will not have any legal problems or proceedings, her disappearance will not be listed, e.g. at the employer. The Itaka Foundation reminds, however, that if we put information about the search on the Internet, these messages will stay there and you should take it. Therefore, the loved ones are advised not to provide sensitive information in messages. I.e. It is better to write that a relative may need urgent help than, for example, that it is in the crisis of mental health and treats or what exactly is suffering from, because this type of information from the network may not disappear. Sometimes providing such information can even delay the return home, because the missing person may feel that his privacy has been violated in this way.
How can we prevent disappearance?
The data say that there are about 20,000 cases of disappearances of the elderly and affected by various types of memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. The police indicate that Many disappearances can be prevented. First of all, take care for regular contact With the elderly, so that you can quickly find out that she is not at home. If our loved ones do not have to carry documents confirming identity, they should be sensitized to change this habit. Documents They are very important when, for example, there is an accident, as a result of which the injured person will go to the hospital and contact with him is difficult. It is worth ask our loved ones to contact usif they notice something disturbing.
Another thing that can be done is sewing on the inside of the jacket, coat or often worn clothes, tags with name, surname, address and telephone number, to which you can apply if a person has difficulty returning home. It is also useful to include information about diseases and medications taken. Bracelets are also used more and more often for this purpose It is worth considering buying a GPS locator. It is also necessary to ensure that the elderly (or child) moving around the city or traveling around the country always has a charged mobile phone with legibly recorded numbers to the family. It is helpful to enter the number with the marking ICE (In case of emergency) to contact in a sudden case. It should be contact to someone from a close family who has a driving license and a car to appear at the scene of the accident if necessary.
As a prevention of the disappearances of e.g. teenagers, it is always worth knowing what and where a young person plans to do, with whom he should be there, then to be able to contact the right friends, their parents, or school. If you are not sure about the whereabouts of the teenager, you can also check his favorite places. Knowledge about the plans for a given day makes it very easy to trace the next steps of the person we are worried about, and also allows you to gather the necessary information and contact the people who saw her last. For example, if our partner has not reached work, we know that he should be there, does not answer the phones and we were not able to make contact on alternative platforms, there is nothing to wait and you should report the disappearance to the police.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
