The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is increasingly using social media to assist in the recovery of missing people across the Twin Cities. In a recent case, a young woman from the metro area returned home safely after residents widely shared law enforcement alerts online.
Department officials credit the success to community participation and the “power of the share,” which encourages Minnesotans to remain alert and circulate missing-person posts quickly. According to the department, the strategy has led to hundreds—and sometimes thousands—of residents coordinating online to help locate missing individuals.
As part of the effort, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension launched a Facebook page titled “Minnesota Alerts: Missing and Endangered,” dedicated to posting real-time updates when local agencies issue alerts. Because details can change quickly, the page updates photos and information as they become available. Posts remain active until authorities officially cancel the alert.
In cases where an individual is found deceased, identifying information is removed after families are notified and the medical examiner confirms the details.
The Department of Public Safety continues urging residents to follow the page, review active alerts, and share posts to expand their reach. Officials say even a single share can help bring someone home and thanked the public for its ongoing support.
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