Too many volunteers at first search session

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By KBCI Web Staff

Summary

Police said at a Wednesday afternoon press conference that they're seeking up to 1,000 volunteers for the search on Friday.

Story Created: Jul 29, 2009 at 2:36 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 31, 2009 at 1:06 PM MDT

Too many volunteers at first search session
BOISE - Authorities are asking the public's help in a massive search for missing 8-year-old Robert Manwill on Friday.


 Robert Manwill
On Friday morning, too many volunteers showed up to the Hillcrest and Garfield Elementary locations. They're being asked by police to come back at noon to help look.

"This is a one day push," said Jim Kerns, Boise Police deputy chief. "The time is now for new volunteers."

Manwill has been missing now for five days. He was last seen on Friday.

"Robert is still missing," Kerns said. "(The effort to find him) is a tremendous commitment to the citizens of this city."

Officers are asking volunteers to take a day off from searching on Thursday as organizers gear up for the massive push on Friday. "I think that giving people a day off is probably a wise idea," said George Gunn, a search manger with Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue. Gunn says by giving volunteers a day to recoup and recover it will help get them ready to go come Friday. "We're moving out into areas that haven't been searched before so people need to be fresh," he said. The Friday search will be operated at three spots in Boise.

Search locations:

  • South Jr. High - 805 Shoshone Street
  • Garfield Elementary - 1914 S Broadway Avenue
  • Boise Public Library - Hillcrest Branch - 5246 W Overland Road

    Volunteer Criteria:

  • Must be 18 years old (bring ID)
  • No dogs or children
  • Shifts are in three-hour blocks (9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m.)
  • Bring water, sunscreen, snack, good walking shoes and a cell phone if possible.

    Police say there will be no volunteer search on Thursday. The Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue volunteers, and other volunteers are being given a day to recoup and will use that time to prepare for the massive volunteer search effort Friday.

    Joe Cook, mayor of New Plymouth, is asking all available citizens over the age of 18 to meet at the elementary school at 1:15 p.m. on Friday. School buses will leave at 1:30 p.m. to go to Boise to assist in the search for Robert, who goes to school in New Plymouth.

    Click the following link for a downloadable Robert Manwill Flyer

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