Cheryl Beddow hopes that the legislation being considered in New Brunswick will save other families the suffering that her loved ones have gone through over the past 12 months.
The Missing Persons Act, which was introduced on Wednesday, aims to provide law enforcement broader authority in situations where there isn’t a running criminal investigation.
The difficulty in getting information surprised Beddow, whose father Paul Doughty has been missing since August 19, 2021.
Since there was no indication of criminal activity, she claimed, “I was unable to access even the easy stuff, like his cellphone records, because my dad was missing.”
The officer had remarked that it would be simpler to obtain information of that nature if the Missing Persons Act were in force.
Beddow therefore produced a petition to apply the statute in collaboration with other New Brunswickers who encountered same difficulties during missing people investigations.
The goal of presenting legislation that has already been enacted in other provinces was discussed with local MLAs in an effort to increase the momentum.
The proposed legislation would permit police officers to ask for information from a person’s records, according to a provincial news release. It would be necessary to obtain a search warrant, an emergency or urgent demand, or an order for the production of records.
The disclosure says that the data may include wireless device signals, cellphone records, instant messaging, and GPS tracking data.
According to the statement, law enforcement agencies currently lack the authority to compel people or businesses to divulge personal information about a missing person when there is no active criminal investigation.
Public Safety Minister Kris Austin stated on Wednesday that this will “enable law enforcement agencies to conduct a missing person inquiry to the best of their abilities.”
It gives me great pleasure to present this measure since it will significantly contribute to resolving some of the problems associated with missing persons. ”
Beddow claimed the measure wouldn’t benefit her family, but she thinks less bureaucracy will make things easier for other families.
“He may have had a chat with someone that may have taken us in a different way; hopefully, we’ll learn that someday, but I doubt that much time has passed for us. The following folks will benefit, she stated.
The second reading of the Missing Persons Act will take place in the legislature the following week.
Missing Persons Act proposed in New Brunswick: “It will help the next people”
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