The Arkansas Crime Information Center added real-time updates to its searchable database of information about missing persons, the state Department of Public Safety announced in a Friday news release.
The department launched NeverForgotten.ar.gov in 2016 in partnership with the state attorney general’s office. The database will now “automatically capture” a missing person report to the National Crime Information Center by local law enforcement agencies, according to the news release. The report will alert both the Arkansas State Police and the U.S. Marshals Service.
“These enhancements will help law enforcement respond more quickly, particularly in cases involving juveniles who may be at risk of being trafficked,” the news release states.
Real-time updates eliminate the previously existing lag in accurate information caused by weekly updates, according to the Department of Public Safety.
“These enhancements will improve the effectiveness of missing person investigations and public awareness campaigns, increasing the chances of safe recovery – particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and at-risk adults,” ACIC Deputy Director Rick Stallings said in the release.
Arkansas has more than 400 unsolved cases of missing persons between 1 and 91 years old. A case from 30 years ago, the abduction of 6-year-old Morgan Nick of Alma, remained “active and ongoing” as of October, when the Alma Police Department announced it had uncovered new DNA evidence linking Nick to her suspected kidnapper, who died in prison in 1996.
The Morgan Nick Foundation, a missing children’s advocacy group founded by Nick’s mother, is one of the groups that actively supports the Arkansas Department of Public Safety’s efforts to solve missing persons cases, according to Friday’s news release.
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