Amending Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Miscellaneous", by establishing a policy of posting all Missing and Endangered Persons Alerts on City websites and social media sites; all under certain terms and conditions.
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code is amended to read as follows:
TITLE 21. MISCELLANEOUS.
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CHAPTER 21-2900. DISSEMINATION OF MISSING AND ENDANGERED PERSONS ALERT VIA INTERNET.
§ 21-2901. Disseminating Missing and Endangered Persons Alerts Through Use of the Internet.
(1) Definitions.
"MEPAS" shall mean the Missing Endangered Person Advisory System as established and maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police pursuant to the Act of November 24, 2004, P.L. 1270, No. 153.
"Missing persons who are at special risk of harm" shall mean any person who is reported missing that has a physical or mental impairment which poses an increased vulnerability to the person's safety when left unattended for some period of time, including individuals diagnosed with intellectual disability, autistic disorders, dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, or other such impairments.
(2) Internet Alerts. The Police Department, working in cooperation with other City departments, shall endeavor to post any public alert regarding individuals that were or are believed to have been in the vicinity of the City of Philadelphia when reported missing generated via the Missing Endangered Person Advisory System (MEPAS) on all City maintained websites and social media sites that routinely post advisories and other such alerts, to aid in the search and recovery of missing persons, including those who are at special risk of harm due to their disability or mental impairment. The alerts should encourage the public to remain vigilant for information regarding individuals who are the subject of an alert posted consistent with this section, and to immediately report any relevant information to the police.
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Explanation:
Italics indicate new matter added.
End
Timeline
File history
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Marked unanimous; no member-by-member tally published.
Pass
Official action detail
A motion was made by Councilmember O'Brien that this matter be Introduced and Referred to the Committee on Public Safety. The motion carried unanimously.