An app aimed at reducing the number of youths reported as missing to police has proven to be beneficial in its first year of operation.

Throughout 2023, EGADZ Executive Director Don Meikle says Missing Youth Saskatchewan has not only helped reduce the demand on police resources but has also ensured the safety of hundreds of young people.

He says the app works by determining which kids are most at risk through a series of questions generated by the youths themselves.

“Our first question is ‘is the youth 13 and under?’, ‘are there any physical or mental conditions that are going untreated that could impair the youth’s ability to maintain safety?’, ‘is there a history or risk of sexual exploitation?’, ‘is there a risk of forced marriages or trafficking?’” Meikle lists.

Meikle says from April of 2023 until January of 2024, 838 risk assessments were completed, however only 189 risk assessments were determined to require police attention through the app.

“All of those other kids that weren’t at risk, we knew where they were, that were being responsible, they’re just not kids that are at risk that the police need to be looking for.”

Meikle says the app has been improved and tweaked throughout the year, and he hopes that it will eventually be utilized province-wide to reduce the demand on police resources, and also ensure the safety of young people everywhere.