She keeps a notepad by her makeup in her bathroom, as her mind usually begins grinding away just after she wakes about people missing in this city.
A 14-year-veteran cop, RCMP Cpl. Holly Turton joined Surrey RCMP’s Missing Persons Unit in January last year and has had some heartwarming moments.
One of the most recent, was of a man who was medically reliant on insulin. Police found him in medical distress and were able to get him to hospital in time.
Another highlight, Turton told a press conference, was of 12-year-old Jamie-Leah Prohl, who was found in Vancouver earlier last month and rejoined with her nine-year-old sister.
Police discovered there was trouble at home and were able to find a healthy placement for both girls.
“Our unit had worked incredibly hard, we worked very long hours trying to locate her, we were very concerned,” Turton said. “When we found out she was in Vancouver, there were some celebratory drinks that night.”
Last year, there were 1,810 missing persons complaints in Surrey and all but four have been found. Contrary to popular opinion, police don’t require any wait time to start a missing persons investigation.
In the unit, there’s a map of the world with pins in it, indicating some of the places they have found people.
One man left his wife (police don’t think he knew she was pregnant), and traced him through the U.S. to Paris, France. There he seemingly disappeared, probably to his home country in Africa.
Another woman was found in Britain – she hadn’t told her mother about her new boyfriend. Investigators wouldn’t say much more about except that the discovery itself was unusual.
The Missing Persons Unit will be highlighting one case every month for the next year.
This month, they are asking for public assistance in finding Stephen Anthony Begg (pictured left), who was last seen on Feb. 6.
Having never been reported missing before then, he left behind all of his personal possessions, including ID.
Begg struggled to find work as a software and web designer, and lived on social assistance. He did not own a car, mostly using public transit.
Begg frequented the liquor store at 8410 160 Street and police are asking any patrons of that establishment who may know Begg to come forward.
He is described as a Caucasian male, 5’8″ (173 cm), 130 lbs. (59 kgs) with green eyes and brown hair.
If you have any information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, regarding his disappearance to call Const. Mike Halskov at 604-599-7691. Alternatively, you can send an email to Surrey_Missing_Persons@rcmp-grc.gc.ca. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
