Former Resident wrote on Nov 2, 2009 7:43 AM:

" To WNDR, you are still not getting it, an Amber Alert CANNOT be issued if the proper info is not there. Also, the police can only work with the info that they are given, and if no one willing to talk, then it is a hundred times hard to solve a case. If a teen leaves home on their of their own free will and don't want to be found, it makes it very hard for the police to track them down. And for all of you folks who say they had not heard anything about this missing boy until now, maybe you should leave your gossip groups and online chat rooms and watch the local news on TV or read the actual paper newspaper. And to all of you who are outraged that the police department didn't do more to find this boy, maybe you should organize a search party or hang up posters at all the local businesses and help out the police, because it is YOUR community too and you should start taking more responsiblity for it. "




me wrote on Nov 2, 2009 6:48 AM:

" Glad they found this RUNAWAY. HE needs help and if any of you have listened and read the news, worked in law enforcement and walked in his parents shoes, then you all must know what really goes on behind the scenes.

The police put on that uniform and put their lives on the line for us everyday. I hope I never need their assistance, but if I do, I know my family can count on them to keep us safe. Thank you Chief Lokken, staff and other law enforcement agencies! "




irritated wrote on Nov 2, 2009 12:34 AM:

" First of all like his aunt said he was found second of all it is not ALL up to the police dept to take care of different matters on there own us as Civilians need to help it is no different then you wanting help at work if they were not trying to do something y even publish these stories period. We need to help in society just as much as anyone else so enough with the finger pointing allready. "




RESPECT wrote on Oct 31, 2009 8:15 AM:

" I just think that all of you critisizing the family and law enforcement need to just stop for a second and make sure you know the whole story! These people are not on here talking about how you raise your families. We all know that nobody is perfect, so what I'm asking is that you all just have some respect it's not that hard! "




hey mom wrote on Oct 30, 2009 7:08 PM:

" that comment could be fake not unless its on the news its not official "




WNDR wrote on Oct 30, 2009 2:55 PM:

" I stand corrected. I did an archive search of the Herald and there are 4, yes 4, stories regarding Zach since September 23, 2009. One of which is the article that they found him. I don't think that one counts because it is after the fact. But... So, I thought there were only 2 articles but I guess there were actually 3. Who's responsible for this? Is it the PD, Herald, Sheriff, Zach's Parents....? I think this falls into the hands of the PD. They do press releases all the time, don't they? To 'Family, aka Zach's Aunt' can you share the whole story with us as far as the PD is concerned? Perhaps an anonymous posting or letter to the editor or put up some fliers around town (the fliers part is suppost to induce some humor)? PERHAPS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE AND TELL US, THE TAX PAYING CITIZENS OF WILLISTON (AND THE KIDS EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T PAY TAXES UNLESS THEY WORK) HOW THIS HAPPENED? MAYBE A POSTING BY THE CHIEF? WE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW HOW OUR MONEY IS BEING SPENT (OR IN THIS CASE NOT BEING SPENT). WAS IT DUE TO BUDGET CUTS? HERE'S AN IDEA CHIEF, SINCE YOUR DEPARTMENT OBVIOUSLY NEEDS HELP IN HOW TO PUT TOGETHER A FLIER AND POST THEM AROUND TOWN YOU CAN PUT YOUR EXPLANATION ON FLIERS AND HAVE YOUR PEOPLE POST THEM AROUND TOWN. YA KNOW, PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. "




WNDR wrote on Oct 30, 2009 2:33 PM:

" I am so happy and relieved that this young man was found. I am even happier that he has been found alive. Don't get me wrong, I am not at all questioning the abilities of his parents/family. I, too, left home several times while in highschool because, as a lot of kids think, 'I know more than my parents'. I read the Williston Hearld religiously online everyday. Most times the new edition does not come out until after 12 noon. (Usually I look at the trading post online and then I check out the Herald) I saw a story about Zach only 2 times. I don't think I missed any more postings. Even with the media involved, wouldn't it make sense to post information at Economart, Albertson's, gas stations, bowling alley, etc? Some people don't have a computer, tv, etc. TO JENN, CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY IT WOULD MATTER IF THIS IS THE 2ND OR 22ND TIME ZACH HAS GONE MISSING? SHOULD HE NOT BE LOOKED FOR LIKE ANYOTHER CHILD MISSING BECAUSE IT'S NOT HIS FIRST TIME? TO the Williston PD, oil activity is about to pick up again and we will have 'outsiders' in this community.
!!!!MORE PEOPLE = MORE CRIME!!!! It is sad to say but that's the way it goes. Perhaps we should start preparing for the influx of population NOW. You know, 'an ounce of prevention....' For the family of Zach, I am very happy he has made it home safe. I hope that whatever the issue(s) is/are that they will be addressed. I hear on the radio all the time about vandalism, theft, etc. NOT ONE TIME DID I HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT ZACH ON THE RADIO AND I LISTEN TO KEYZ COUNTRY MOST EVERYDAY. Again, because of the obvious lack of commitment from the local PD I have lost all trust in them. I truly hope that when my kids grow up they don't go missing around here. Again, very happy to hear that Zach made it home. "




WNDR wrote on Oct 30, 2009 12:33 PM:

" Pisces ---- thank you for the education as i was not aware of the requirements of an Amber alert. however, that being said, according to the stellar members of the williston pd (insert sarcasm here), they are not sure where he is, why he left, etc, would it not be wise to error on the side of caution and at least attempt to issue an Amber alert? perhaps they did and are not telling anybody about it. at the western star conoco there is a picture of a young lady missing from, i think, new mexico or arizona. why is it that others post pics of missing kids from thousands of miles away and yet we can't even take care of our local kids. I THINK IT IS TIME THAT THE CITY COUNCIL TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND BRING IN A 3RD PARTY FOR A SERIOUS, IN DEPTH INVESTIGATION AS TO WHY, APPARENTLY, THE BALL WAS DROPPED ON THIS. MAYBE THE CHIEF NEEDS TO FIND ANOTHER TOWN? just a few thoughts. "




Family wrote on Oct 30, 2009 7:11 AM:

" Well I am the Aunt to his young man. They did catch him yesterday and the people of Williston if they knew this whole story and actually the story of many others would get involved! There needs to be a big change in that police department. Talk to your Social workers, health workers they will all tell you the same thing. "




Shayla Madden wrote on Oct 30, 2009 1:07 AM:

" I have to agree, this is the First I've heard of it. I talked to my mother last night and she inquired about the missing boy. She told me she read about last month also, on this site. I have never heard of this missing young boy! How far could he have gotten with no help, no money, friends or family knowing where he went. Was he on-line? Did have a computer? confiscate all computers he used and back up the hard drives to look. I know this will time and effort and Money, but I'm willing to pay my tax dollars to bring the young boy home. I have asked all 3 Of my kids if they have heard of this missing boy, they all said, "NO" not until yesterday. If this were my child, I would be hysterical! Since when does this happen in our community? Come on lets bring this child home!!! "




Jenn wrote on Oct 29, 2009 1:49 PM:

" First off there are certain criterias for amber alerts. Second of all This is the 2nd time zach has went missing the first time they found him sooner. unfortunately it is taking longer this time and i have read about this everyweek since he has gone missing. As far as high school students go if you havent seen a kid in school for over a month they whouldve known something was up and some one in that high school knows something bout where Zach is. I personally know his father and he is a single dad and one of the best ones ive met. "




will resident wrote on Oct 29, 2009 6:59 AM:

" Hey Lori...this HAS been in the news. In paper and on tv. Just because someone hasn't walked up to you and told you directly, doesn't mean you shouldn't know about this "




2ALLU WNDRERS wrote on Oct 28, 2009 11:02 PM:

" Information about this boy has been on the radio, TV and in the newspaper several times since he went missing. I have heard and seen it several times in the media. Law Enforcement does know what they are doing! How easy some of you lose faith and want to criticize... Anyway FYI, the boy was located today in Williston. "




Pisces wrote on Oct 28, 2009 9:53 PM:

" I had to comment again. If this situation does not fit the criteria for an Amber Alert, then it is up to the community and the law enforcement to get the information out there. Clearly there is more to this story than just a kid missing. I find it hard to believe any law enforcement entity would not take a missing child case seriously. "




me wrote on Oct 28, 2009 12:04 PM:

" I am wondering how come his parents haven't tried or seem like they are actively looking for him! I would have put up posters or something!?! "




Tori wrote on Oct 28, 2009 6:47 AM:

" I am in the high school and I never heard of this. If they want information they have to let the people who might have it know they need it. I don't think the police should just be talking to the newspaper because how many people/kids read it anymore. They could miss a vital lead because someone didn't know they were looking. "




Pisces wrote on Oct 28, 2009 4:06 AM:

" WNDR ~ Amber Alerts are a wonderful thing, however the DOJ has criteria that must be met in order to issues an "Amber Alert".
DOJ's guidance on criteria for issuing AMBER Alerts is:
1. Law enforcement must confirm that an abduction has taken place
The child is at risk of serious injury or death
2. There is sufficient descriptive information of child, captor, or captor's vehicle to issue an alert
3. The child must be 17 years old or younger
4. It is recommended that immediate entry of AMBER Alert data be entered in FBI's National Crime Information Center. Text information describing the circumstances surrounding the abduction of the child should be entered, and the case flagged as Child Abduction.

Most state's guidelines adhere closely to DOJ's recommended guidelines. "




Wnder2 wrote on Oct 28, 2009 12:48 AM:

" Why does it seem that this article is just blah? Are the police really concerned? Maybe they know something? Cause if he's been missing that long and not much attention, then I'm a little worried about our police in Williston?!? Are they doing there job? "




Worried wrote on Oct 27, 2009 4:11 PM:

" This is the first time i have heard of this. And i also have to ask WHY? Why hasnt this been on the radio and why no amber alert? Is he a run away, or like WNDR said, was he lured away by an internet preditor? A month has gone by and this has been brought up twice? What is wrong with our law enforcement and why isnt this out there more! Forget about a "lucky break". Get out there and investigate! Lets find this boy. "




Worried wrote on Oct 27, 2009 4:08 PM:

" I can't believe more hasn't been done to find him! How long do you sit and wait for something to come up? I think it's been far too long already! Do something! I can't even imagine what his parents are going through right now. "




Concerned wrote on Oct 27, 2009 12:57 PM:

" This is only the 2nd time I have even heard of this teenager missing. Why isnt this on the radio or in the schools. I asked my two teenagers if they had heard anything around the high school and they knew nothing about him missing. Its been a month already when do we get serious about this child missing - I have not seen one flyer with his name picture nothing. Thank you for putting his picture in the paper but where else is it? Or have I just missed it? "




WNDR wrote on Oct 27, 2009 11:10 AM:

" Why in the heck hasn't he already been put into the NCIC database? Also, was there ever an Amber Alert issued? This kid is only 16 years old. Was he lured away by an internet predator? Did he have a head injury and cannot remember who he is or where he's from? Come on people, this kid has to have friends who know where he went/is. I think that for a missing child a 'reasoable amount of time' would be about 5 minutes. I really hope that the person or persons that know where he is or where he was initially will come forward. And if you do know where he is or where he went and you don't come forward then SHAME ON YOU!! "

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