New Kasey Alert System In Oklahoma Intends To Find Critically Missing Adults

Oklahomans may now see a new alert called the Kasey Alert System come across their cell phones. It's intended to help find missing tribal citizens.

House Bill 1077, or The Kasey Alert System, requires the Department of Public Safety to develop and implement a statewide alert for adults between the ages 18 and 59 who are considered critically missing.

The notifications are named after Kasey Russel, a 29-year-old Tahlequah man and Cherokee Nation citizen who went missing in 2016.

Kasey Alerts are meant to help police find adults who go missing under suspicious circumstances.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives said the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women organization, tribal programs, loved ones and their families all played a part in the law passing.

Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. of the Cherokee Nation said he’s thankful for the advocates who helped this bill pass.

“For the family and gives them some additional measure of peace in what has to be a very traumatic time still as they’re suffering. Nothing is going to bring Kasey back. But I think what we can do is look at what happened to him, recognize that we have to do better, and for the family, I hope that brings some measure of relief. And that they understand that they’re not alone. And that they have a whole big community that’s around them,” said Chief Hoskin Jr.

The public alert will include facts about the person and the situation around the disappearance. It will also include information on how to contact tribal authorities in cases involving Native Americans.