SC SC - Johnny Lamar Brown, 44, Myrtle Beach, 3 Aug 2012 - #1

[MissJames]

:seeya:

Given his disability/lack of communication, I think that someone would have really, really remembered him. And, he would essentially be on the streets. I think that would make him easier to find.

I really, really hope I'm wrong.

That's exactly why the ones that did see him and interacted with him ,remembered him . They couldn't understand him or he mumbled .

 

[writer7]

I'm sure when LE looks into it more it might seem like a good fit for Johnny. I've noticed that some localities are used to using Silver Alerts on the non-elderly and some aren't yet.

It's a great program. I like that it advertises the special needs of the folks it covers, if the family wants to advertise any specifics.

 

[MissJames]

how can inquiring into a House Bill administered by SLED be 'undermining'?
what happened to serve and protect ALL the people....
puleeze
I am putting myself in time out now

I only assumed that's what they were talking about .They never said that to me .Julie relayed the info .I just can't imagine anything I've done that could be construed as undermining LE. I'm a rule follower to the point of being no fun sometimes .

 

[Oriah]

I think 17S is a very good possibility for a route of travel.
Between MB/Surfside/Murrells Inlet/ Georgetown- Charleston is usually the next destination for travelers. If on foot, there are a couple of pretty lonely stretches along 17. Even with holiday traffic it can be somewhat desolate (especially before you reach the outskirts of Mt. Pleasant.) There are small family farms and homesteads just off the road, a lot of wildlife, and easy access to the beach/ocean on the SE side. Does anyone know if Johnny likes animals? Also...I am concerned about a hit and run. It is really dark along a couple of stretches of 17. I once almost hit a man who was chasing his cow that was crossing from one side to the other. (True story.)
Anyway- maybe we should make sure there are some flyers up along that route? Maybe a couple of signs in the median along those more quiet places? Also- Bulls Bay, and the Wolf rescue? (I am thinking tourist awareness here...)

 

[watcher9]

MissJames,
You have worked your heart out on this case to help Johnny and his family.
I applaud you for your insight and knowledge on how Johnny could be thinking and feeling.
When Johnny has been found, a lot of credit could be given to you as the one who was instrumental in bring this search to the forefront.
It's possible that what the LE was saying was misinterpreted and may not have applied to you at all.

 

[MissJames]

They have a liason with the Myrtle Beach Police Dept so hopefully they'll assist them with something like that.

I'm assuming 2 of them are Johnnys parents .they may be limited .I would recommend searching in 2s.Its just safer .I was really glad to have OLG with me .

 

[watcher9]

We don't know how well Johnny can read, but Cartersville and Charleston both start with a "C" and they are both long words.

 

[Peekerfoo]

When I called the number a poster gave for Silver Alert it turned out to be part of our State Law Enforcement.they had received the info on Johnny but had not received a request to become involved .The woman I spoke with chose her words very carefully .She said MBPD would need to make that request .I asked if the family could insist .They could request but it would be up to MBPD.
Is it possible that they thought you were talking about a program that was not a part of LE?
Shortly after I made that call, Julie told me the MBPO's handling Johnny's case told her I was undermining them .I assumed it was related to the call to SLED/SilverAlert .When I made the call I had no idea the Silver Alert Program was part of Law Enforcement .
I've put up and passed out flyers and Asked people at places where Johnny was believed to be , if they have seen him .For the ones that had , I asked them to call the police and let them know .For those willing to keep an eye out I asked them to call the police or his sister , as she requested,if they saw him .

Not sure what I did to upset the police ,but it won't happen again .

I am really upset that anyone from the MBPO would say anything remotely like that! I LIVE here and didn't hear about the case until I read it here!! Anything that can be done to raise awareness should make LE's job easier! You have done EVERYTHING right!! Are the different agencies afraid to step on each other's toes? I don't get it. Could Julie have misunderstood?

You have been an angel at trying to find Johnny!!!! The statement about undermining makes absolutely NO SENSE!

 

[Oriah]

Also, does anyone know the route that Johnny's family took from GA to SC when leaving for vacation? Sometimes missing persons (especially those with cognitive impairments) who are trying to find their way home reverse directions using visual cues. TIA if anyone knows.

 

[MissJames]

I think 17S is a very good possibility for a route of travel.
Between MB/Surfside/Murrells Inlet/ Georgetown- Charleston is usually the next destination for travelers. If on foot, there are a couple of pretty lonely stretches along 17. Even with holiday traffic it can be somewhat desolate (especially before you reach the outskirts of Mt. Pleasant.) There are small family farms and homesteads just off the road, a lot of wildlife, and easy access to the beach/ocean on the SE side. Does anyone know if Johnny likes animals? Also...I am concerned about a hit and run. It is really dark along a couple of stretches of 17. I once almost hit a man who was chasing his cow that was crossing from one side to the other. (True story.)
Anyway- maybe we should make sure there are some flyers up along that route? Maybe a couple of signs in the median along those more quiet places? Also- Bulls Bay, and the Wolf rescue? (I am thinking tourist awareness here...)

I live 2 minutes from the Wolf rescue,Sewee Center .It's run by the DNR ,I believe .It's staffed by Forest Rangers. I will go over as soon as they open tomorrow.
I have approached the stores and gas stations in that area .they take the flyers but don't put them up front .
There's a music venue right on the hwy ,every Wed night .it's called Awendaw Green .I wanted to get on stage and let locals know , but also try to drum up volunteers .it was rained out two weeks in a row .
Hopefully the family will have great success and Johnny will be home this weekend .

 

[Peekerfoo]

When I called the number a poster gave for Silver Alert it turned out to be part of our State Law Enforcement.they had received the info on Johnny but had not received a request to become involved .The woman I spoke with chose her words very carefully .She said MBPD would need to make that request .I asked if the family could insist .They could request but it would be up to MBPD.
Is it possible that they thought you were talking about a program that was not a part of LE?
Shortly after I made that call, Julie told me the MBPO's handling Johnny's case told her I was undermining them .I assumed it was related to the call to SLED/SilverAlert .When I made the call I had no idea the Silver Alert Program was part of Law Enforcement .
I've put up and passed out flyers and Asked people at places where Johnny was believed to be , if they have seen him .For the ones that had , I asked them to call the police and let them know .For those willing to keep an eye out I asked them to call the police or his sister , as she requested,if they saw him .

Not sure what I did to upset the police ,but it won't happen again .

I am requoting to say that this must be a jurisdictional thing if itwas even said by MBPO. Even Surfside made it clear to me that this was MB's case, but if I saw anything within the town limits I could call Surfside PD. Then we have the State LE (SLED) and they have the most jurisdiction, but the city LE probably wants to handle it themselves. I kind of remember this type of issue in another local case---Brittanee Drexel.

 

[Peekerfoo]

I wish we knew more about Johnny. Everyone who has been in contact with Julie has gotten little snippets of information. I wonder if we could somehow put what we know together to get a better idea of just how "at risk" Johnny is. Here are a few things we know.
He can read
He can write
He was given his own hotel key
He was able to go to Family Kingdom alone
He is capable of getting a cab
He knows his home phone number
He's obviously somewhat resourceful
He has a speech problem

I am trying to figure out what he might do knowing that he has certain capabilities.

 

[MissJames]

Also, does anyone know the route that Johnny's family took from GA to SC when leaving for vacation? Sometimes missing persons (especially those with cognitive impairments) who are trying to find their way home reverse directions using visual cues.

I don't but this reminded me of the beginning . I didn't understand what happened until recently when I was told the Georgetown police interacted with Johnny the night he went missing .

Here's what I think happened based on what Julie shared .Now that I better understand the sequence it goes like this :

Somehow Johnny ended up in Georgetown on the night he went missing .He took a taxi at some point so I assume it took him to Georgetown.The family believes he was trying to go home buy he's difficult to understand .Maybe he had no more money .He had a room key to the hotel they were staying at .

The next morning Julie talked to someone at the front desk .That woman told her the police had called with Johnny , the night before asking if he worked there .She said no not realizing he might be a guest.
He was dropped off , we believe , near Surfside Beach.
The next day he had an encounter with staff at the BbQ House in Surfside .They couldn't understand him and he left .

During this time he called home .The last time was on the 4th .I thought he could be anywhere at this point and hoped for National publicity .Then the sightings in Surfside started coming in .Many credible sightings .Maybe it's not Johnny , but so many people who aren't related have given much the same info .
But my point was : ) In the beginning the family believed he was trying to go home .

 

[MissJames]

I am really upset that anyone from the MBPO would say anything remotely like that! I LIVE here and didn't hear about the case until I read it here!! Anything that can be done to raise awareness should make LE's job easier! You have done EVERYTHING right!! Are the different agencies afraid to step on each other's toes? I don't get it. Could Julie have misunderstood?

You have been an angel at trying to find Johnny!!!! The statement about undermining makes absolutely NO SENSE!

Anything is possible .I am so frustrated .I have no beef with them .As most of us here , I have not understood the decisions they've made , but I've always acknowledged I don't know what they might know .

We all want the same thing ,to bring Johnny home .
Many people have been helping , not just me. Im just more vocal because I have a developmentally disabled son who will wander .

 

[Oriah]

How much money did he have on himself when he left? And did he have it in a wallet? If so, what is the description of the wallet?

 

[MissJames]

We don't know how well Johnny can read, but Cartersville and Charleston both start with a "C" and they are both long words.

He can write Cartersville .

 

[Peekerfoo]

I don't but this reminded me of the beginning . I didn't understand what happened until recently when I was told the Georgetown police interacted with Johnny the night he went missing .

Here's what I think happened based on what Julie shared .Now that I better understand the sequence it goes like this :

Somehow Johnny ended up in Georgetown on the night he went missing .He took a taxi at some point so I assume it took him to Georgetown.The family believes he was trying to go home buy he's difficult to understand .Maybe he had no more money .He had a room key to the hotel they were staying at .

The next morning Julie talked to someone at the front desk .That woman told her the police had called with Johnny , the night before asking if he worked there .She said no not realizing he might be a guest.
He was dropped off , we believe , near Surfside Beach.
The next day he had an encounter with staff at the BbQ House in Surfside .They couldn't understand him and he left .

During this time he called home .The last time was on the 4th .I thought he could be anywhere at this point and hoped for National publicity .Then the sightings in Surfside started coming in .Many credible sightings .Maybe it's not Johnny , but so many people who aren't related have given much the same info .
But my point was : ) In the beginning the family believed he was trying to go home .

That makes sense and is what the police told me today, also. I've mentioned it before that perhaps when he was saying Georgia the cab driver thought he was saying Georgetown. Or he misread signs for Georgetown as being Georgia.

 

[Peekerfoo]

Anything is possible .I am so frustrated .I have no beef with them .As most of us here , I have not understood the decisions they've made , but I've always acknowledged I don't know what they might know .

We all want the same thing ,to bring Johnny home .
Many people have been helping , not just me. Im just more vocal because I have a developmentally disabled son who will wander .

I understand. My Mom has Alzheimers and is at risk for wandering. I guess we get terrified thinking that someone we love could get lost. I'd like to think that my state, county, and town would help.

Frustration is the word of the day.

 

[MissJames]

I wish we knew more about Johnny. Everyone who has been in contact with Julie has gotten little snippets of information. I wonder if we could somehow put what we know together to get a better idea of just how "at risk" Johnny is. Here are a few things we know.
He can read
He can write
He was given his own hotel key
He was able to go to Family Kingdom alone
He is capable of getting a cab
He knows his home phone number
He's obviously somewhat resourceful
He has a speech problem

I am trying to figure out what he might do knowing that he has certain capabilities.

He likes beer /malt liquor . One of the sightings was of a young white guy buying Johnny a beer at a bar across the street from SurfsideBeach Resort .
OLG and I talked to the waitress at length .She even called a co worker at home to confirm .
As a matter of fact , that's what we were doing when you called us : )

Any word from the family yet ?

 

[MissJames]

I understand. My Mom has Alzheimers and is at risk for wandering. I guess we get terrified thinking that someone we love could get lost. I'd like to think that my state, county, and town would help.

Frustration is the word of the day.

I highly recommend getting a medical alert bracelet with basic info engraved on it . I even got one for my perfectly fine MIL .She lives alone and walks every day .if anything happened to her she's wearing our contact info .
The bracelets can be very beautiful or very cool .My son and I both wear one .

Lauren's Hope is my favorite place To get them but there are others .