How to Create a Missing Person Template for Your Community
Missing person cases can be frightening and overwhelming, especially for the families and friends of the disappeared. In the wake of such an occurrence, the absence of proper resources and information can make a dire situation even worse. That is why it is essential for communities to have a comprehensive missing person template in place that can quickly and efficiently distribute crucial information to the public.
Why Create a Missing Person Template?
A missing person template is a tool that can help expedite vital information to the community in the case of a missing person. Creating a template takes time and effort upfront but can make all the difference when you need to mobilize quickly. The more detail and information that the template can provide, the more likely it is that it can help find the individual faster.
What to Include in the Template?
A missing person template should contain essential information that can help the community identify and locate the missing person. Here are some of the things you should include in the template:
Bio and Physical Information
Include a recent photograph of the individual, their name, age, height, weight, hair color, eye color, and any relevant physical characteristics such as tattoos, scars, or birthmarks.
Last Seen Information
Where was the person last seen? Provide details like the location, date, and time.
What the Person Was Wearing
Include details about the individual’s clothing, accessories, and any other personal items they may have been carrying.
Contact Information
Provide a contact number for the primary person responsible for the search, such as a family member or lead investigator. Include additional contact names and numbers as well.
Social Media Templates and Hashtags
Prepared templates that can be shared across social media platforms can help spread the word more quickly. It will help to have text prepared in advance and also a set of hashtags that can be used to track the search effort.
Examples of Templates
Here are a few examples of what a missing person template could look like:
Facebook Template
Include a photo of the missing person along with their information and any relevant details:
(Last Name, First Name, Age, Height, Weight, Eye Color, Hair Color, Distinguishing Marks).
“LAST SEEN: (Location, Date, Time)
WEARING: (Clothing description or color)
Please share and help us find (Name) Contact (phone number). #MissingPerson #HelpFind___”
Poster Template
Create a printable poster with a photo of the missing person and information on what they were wearing, where they were last seen, and who to contact if anyone has any information. You can post these around the local community, especially in high-traffic areas.
Conclusion
A missing person template can help mobilize community efforts in finding the missing person more quickly. It is essential to include all the critical details to increase the chances of success. By having a template prepared in advance, you can be ready to act quickly if someone goes missing in your community. Remember, time is often the most crucial factor in finding missing persons.
