Here’s why you are seeing more police flyers for missing children in Arizona

Arizonans might be noticing a recent increase in police flyers for missing children and wondering why.

It has nothing to do with the number of juveniles going missing. The increase is actually the result of a new state law.

SB 1416 revised the reporting requirements for missing persons, kidnapping and runaway cases involving juveniles. Gov. Katie Hobbs signed the bill in June after the Legislature approved it unanimously, and it took effect Sept. 12.

Law enforcement agencies are now required to share details about all missing children cases with media outlets and on their official social media platforms within 24 hours of receiving the reports.

“We’re posting those just for our own ability to let the community know and see if they identify anybody that goes missing. This is anyone who’s under the age of 18,” Cmdr. Mercedes Fortune of the Phoenix Police Department told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Friday.

The following information must be included in the flyers:

• A physical description of the subject, including last known clothing
• The subject’s last known location
• Current photographs (if available)
• A police contact phone number

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Fortune said her department removes the social media posts when the missing children are located.

New missing children law does not change how urgent cases are reported

Previously, agencies could use their discretion about which cases they would publicize based on factors such as the possibility of foul play or medical concerns.

Fortune said the new law does not change the way more urgent cases are handled.

“The missing children flyers that you’re seeing, we know that there is no exigency associated with them because those would be treated differently. They would probably more than likely be SAFE Alerts if they made the criteria,” she said. “But we’re posting those just for information and as a requirement to let people know about the missing children.”

Fortune said the new reporting requirements are proving to be useful for investigators.

“It is helpful in the sense that it’s been an interesting segue into helping us identify the children that are missing,” she said. “Again, it does bring community awareness to it, so it is helpful. It’s a helpful tool.”

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Balin Overstolz-McNair contributed to this report.

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