A 2014 photo of Happy M. Charles. Photo courtesy Facebook.
The official volunteer search for Happy M. Charles is heading into its second weekend in Prince Albert.
Experienced search organizer David Crane said there have previously been concerns from rural farmers about the group’s unmarked presence, but that will change this weekend with Absolute Security donating a uniformed worker and marked vehicle to aid in the search.
The group will be north of Prince Albert along some of the grid roads, Crane said.
“There is a concern, the farmers are wondering why people are walking around the road in their farm area and they may be worried that the persons will actually be entering their farming, private land and that’s not the case. What it is we’ll be searching through bush areas along the ditches,” he said.
Crane said there was an incident prior to his involvement in the search, about a week and a half ago, where a rural resident chased a vehicle to Highway 2 because “he didn’t know what was happening and just saw a vehicle poking along his road.”
Crane does not blame anyone for having concerns, but wants to alert residents of their efforts in advance.
The search group’s base camp will be at the Laurier Room at the Travelodge starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. A volunteer will be present all weekend to direct people to the search locations.
Charles, 42, was last seen on April 3 behind the YWCA in Prince Albert. She was wearing a black leather biker jacket, light blue jeans, grey ball cap, glasses, and was carrying a lack Starter brand backpack.
Anyone interested in helping out can contact Crane at 1-855-425-1533.