Two reported missing a month, says police boss

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
POLICE say that they are receiving at least two reports of missing persons per month in Port Moresby.
“It is increasing but sometimes those missing had been found or had returned home but we are not informed,” Port Moresby Metropolitan Commander Perou N’Dranou said.
Speaking to The National yesterday, N’Dranou said: “Missing persons is now becoming an issue because of a surge in concern raised in the social media.
“There are many factors contributing to that. The negligence of parents or guardians in failing to look after toddlers in the public is one such contributing factor for a lost child
“Also, school children go missing because they get lost when they miss their usual transport in the rain.
“They then try to walk home using different routes, and that’s dangerous.”
N’Dranou said that was deemed negligent and “we want parents to pick up their children by themselves and also to be mindful of their movements”.
“Domestic or family violence is also causing many girls and women to run away from their parents and homes. They are then reported as missing,” he said.
“Almost 99 per cent of these young girls and women are hiding from their oppressors. Parents must be mindful that the moment their children flee from them, they are vulnerable on the streets.
“We must not chase girls and women to the streets because they are exposed to all sorts of danger.”
N’Dranou said some runaways ended up in safe houses but “we are not informed”.
On the matter of abduction and kidnapping of girls and women, N’Dranou advised all to avoid using isolated roads and alleys.
“Try to move around in the public in groups of more than three,” he said, adding that they should scream for help to attract bystanders or passersby who may be able to come to their rescue.