APD homeless team to help find missing

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A unit that does outreach to Albuquerque's homeless will soon be helping the missing persons unit, an Albuquerque police spokesperson confirmed Friday.

In the wake of the West Mesa murders of women who had disappeared from the metro area the police department has vowed to do a better job of working missing persons cases.

The missing persons unit will soon start sharing information with the Albuquerque Police Department Crisis Outreach and Support Team, also known as COAST, on disappearances.

COAST hits the street, parks and even parking lots twice a week feeding the homeless and getting them shelter, medical help and even rehab if they need it.

"They all have their own stories," said Celina Lopez of COAST.

They're not only listening to the stories, they're also looking closely for missing persons now.

Detective Victor Wiebe, who works for APD's missing persons unit, rides along with the COAST unit and its volunteers every week looking for people reported missing.

Wiebe said he's actually found missing persons when he's out with COAST. The last time was last month, he said.

COAST and Wiebe said they get to know the homeless population pretty well and because of that the missing persons unit will depend on COAST members to hit the streets looking for anyone reported missing and likely out on the streets.

It's a new push from the police chief to find more missing people before they end up in trouble or even dead.

The volunteers who work with COAST are from local homeless agencies. They are also a valuable resource for APD when looking for people out on the streets.

"What we're trying to do we're trying to build a relationship with these folks," said Joy Junction founder Jeremy Reynalds.