Sullivan County proclaims May 2025 Missing and Unidentified Persons Month after Hope Alive presentation

Sullivan County legislators on May (meeting date not specified) read a proclamation declaring May 2025 “Missing and Unidentified Persons Month” after a presentation from Hope Alive 845, a volunteer nonprofit that searches for missing people and assists families.

The proclamation, read during the Health & Human Services Committee meeting, noted the emotional toll on families and recognized volunteer organizations such as Hope Alive 845 for “search efforts, advocacy, and public education.” The group’s representatives urged county officials to back stronger, faster coordination between volunteers and law enforcement and to consider support for a regional missing‑persons unit for the Hudson Valley.

Hope Alive 845 representatives described their work and gave local statistics. Thomas Crump, who identified himself as the father of missing person Shanice Harris and a cofounder of Hope Alive 845, said the group offers families a “head start” by collecting dental records, fingerprints and other information in advance and by running search teams. “We brought many things to Southern County already,” Crump said. “We already have the paperwork already. We already have their dental record already. We have their fingerprints already. So it gives us a jump start of what we could do to help instead of waiting.”

Crump told legislators Hope Alive had 19 staff (volunteer and paid, as reported) and said the organization has a large online following. He gave a tip line, (845) 866‑0442, and the group’s website, hopealive845.com, for people with information.

Hope Alive also reported case counts to the committee. Crump said the group handled roughly 20 cases last year and “brought home” five people, and that “this year, we have over 200 cases already” with eight deceased cases reported so far, including a 5‑year‑old. He asked county leaders to pursue concrete steps to remove barriers — for example, faster access to school records and law enforcement cooperation — and offered to return with data and a proposed “game plan.”

Legislators responded with thanks and pledged to review Hope Alive’s requests. A committee member read the formal proclamation recognizing May 2025 as Missing and Unidentified Persons Month and commended volunteers and families who search for loved ones.

The committee did not record a separate roll‑call vote releasing grant funding or directing immediate creation of a new unit during the meeting; the proclamation itself was presented as an official recognition from the legislature. Hope Alive said it had already briefed local law‑enforcement officials and was working with the sheriff on initiatives.

The organization’s tip line and website were repeated on the record: (845) 866‑0442; hopealive845.com. The group also described several local outreach events and an annual awards night; those program details were included in the public remarks.

The meeting packet and the proclamation text—read into the record—are attached to the legislative minutes (meeting date not specified).