In the wake of the Tori Stafford case, NDP MPP Rosario Marchese is supporting the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) review of the Amber Alert system and wants to ensure the public is given the opportunity to participate.

“We are not second guessing any of the actions taken by the police but the circumstances around Tori’s disappearance clearly indicate that we should consider changes which would make our children safer,” said Marchese.

This afternoon, Marchese presented a petition signed by more than 30,000 people calling for changes to the process and protocols police use to issue Amber Alerts.

“This issue has garnered the interest and concern of so many Ontarians. The OPP needs to ensure that members of the public and stakeholder groups are given an opportunity to take part in the review process, which should include a thorough examination of recent events,” said Marchese.

Marchese is also suggesting additional policing resources to help in cases such as Tori’s.

“I’d like to see the OPP establish a support unit that could be deployed in smaller communities with police forces when a child is missing, particularly when abduction is suspected. These communities may not have the policing resources or experience to deal with these situations. An OPP support unit would be able to respond expertly and quickly,” said Marchese.