It takes hundreds of volunteers to clear an area. It is a huge world out there. After seeing such a search in progress it doesnt seem so shocking.
What I dont understand is why they let volunteers in while there was an offender roaming the woods. I wondered if they picked up a suspect before the search was in progress.
It is a huge world, no doubt. But there were two options:
1. The perp was on foot.
If the perp was on foot, he and Holly could not have been very far. We have been told Clint saw them "enter" the woods around 7:50-7:55. LE arrived around 8:00 and within moments there were dozens of residents in the Bobo's yard. Dana Bobo said that LE did not pursue the perp right away but instead waited for up to a couple hours to decide what to do. In the meantime, Clint was working to keep people away to "preserve any evidence." Well, with help like this, who needs enemies? Karen tried to run into the woods but was stopped.
If an
immediate search was instigated by qualified officials, I think the chances would be higher that something might have been found...IF the perp took Holly into the woods. After all, the perp and Holly only had a 10 minute lead on LE at most. If Clint had followed with his weapon, that lead would have been seconds, instead of minutes. Either way, the lack of timely pursuit was costly.
2. The perp was in a vehicle.
This is most likely. Yet no road blocks were issued....not for several days anyway. This would be Law Enforcement 101. Quick, intelligent thinking would say, "We are only 10 minutes behind this perp.....block the major roads." Also, considering how quickly LE and general bystanders arrived, the perp (with Holly, in tow) in his vehicle, would have very likely have been passed by those rushing to the scene. Once again, lack of clear, concise and
immediate LE tactics were costly.