Law enforcement and state departments across Iowa are investigating a recent number of missing individuals.

Jefferson Police Chief Mark Clouse says there are different situations they go through to determine whether someone is classified as a “missing person” or if an “Amber Alert” should be issued. He talks about the process for the latter.

“First of all it has to be a child (and) the child has to be in some sort of danger. We have to be able to show that that child is in danger. We have to have at least a better than vague vehicle description. And then at that point all of that information is submitted to the Amber Alert folks and they make the determination if that Amber Alert is sent out or not.”

Clouse notes that if an average person or an adult can’t be found, they are listed as a missing person in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system. In the past when they’ve dealt with missing people, Clouse says they start by talking with family members and friends, as well as last known individuals the missing person was with. They can also utilize another resource.

“The cell phone companies will work with us in a situation where someone may be in danger, they’ll immediately ping cell phones for us. We don’t have to do search warrants, county attorney subpoenas, all that stuff. We just fill out an exigent circumstances form and then the phone companies will ping that phone for us and give us GPS locations for us.”

Clouse adds that they take every missing person or Amber Alert case seriously and help any other law enforcement agency that asks for their help with their investigation.