Missing teenager Ja’Dore Wilson, whose disappearance is nearing the 30-day mark, was described by police as the “number-one priority of the vulnerable persons unit for the last four weeks”.

As the search continued, it was announced that $25,000 had been raised by members of the community to support search efforts, and Crime Stoppers had increased their reward for information about her whereabouts to $20,000.

The 15-year-old was last seen on the morning of September 17 at her home on North Terrace, Pembroke, and her family said this week that there had been no confirmed sightings since.

Wayne Caines, who helped to organise the community search, said that the family’s disappointment in the lack of resources for the search earlier this week had acted as a rallying cry to which the public has responded.

He said: “Over the last 48 hours, we have launched a website, we have deployed a QR code, we have mobilised search teams, a drone team, logistics teams. We have a WhatsApp group with more than 189 members.

“Thanks to the generosity of business leaders in our community, we have now raised more than $25,000 to go towards helping find Ja’Dore.

“We have partnered with CrimeStoppers Bermuda so any information, no matter how small, can be passed on anonymously to them.”

Mr Caines said that searches would take place daily until Ja’Dore is found and urged organisations to take part and sign up at the newly launched www.missingpersonbda.com.

He said: “Whether you are a church, a sporting group, a fraternity, a sorority, a choir. We are asking everyone to take a night and we will give you the logistics, the location and how to do it safely and within specific protocols.”

Searches will set out at 3pm on weekends and 6pm on weekdays, with the location of the search shared online one hour prior.

Di’Shunta Clarke, Ja’Dore’s mother, said she had seen an outpouring of community support over the past 48 hours, thanking those who have come forward to help the family and the search effort.

She urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-8477, adding: “If you know anything, please share it. Despite how small you may think it is, it may be crucial in putting the pieces together to find Ja’Dore.”

Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, also urged the community to get involved in the search while thanking those already doing their part.

Mr Weeks said: “The Bermuda Police Service has allocated considerable resources to this pursuit and any assistance that the community can provide would be greatly appreciated as we help Ja’Dore’s family find her and return her to her loving home.

“I once again appeal to Bermuda to take an active interest in assisting us to locate Ja’Dore. Clearly her family is distraught over her absence from her home and we must help in searching for her.

“Somebody must know something. Surely she cannot be missing without someone in this community knowing something about her disappearance.”

He urged the public to search their yards, sheds, storage areas, cellars, barns and anywhere else to help the effort to bring Ja’Dore home safely.

Detective Inspector Kenten Trott said: “Every single day, our team have conducted inquiries into this matter, progressed the investigation and also communicated with the family.”

Mr Trott said that police have searched a number of locations across the island, some multiple times, and had acted on information that they had received.

However, he said he could not go into certain details on the case, to protect the integrity of investigation and to protect Ja’Dore herself.

Mr Trott said: “Just remember Ja’Dore is a minor. There are some things that I will simply not discuss to protect this vulnerable 15-year-old child.”

He added that if there was information that could help the public, it would be shared immediately — but the most important thing was to make sure Ja’Dore returns home safely.

Mr Trott thanked residents for their assistance and urged the community to keep the search for Ja’Dore in their minds.

He said: “As you are driving, look. As you are riding, look. As you are walking, look. When you are out and about, please look. You can also join a search party to help us look.”

The search update comes three days after police were joined by Ja’Dore’s family in emphasising the urgency of the case, and the need for the community’s help.

Ms Clarke said on Monday that additional resources such as a search dog were needed, and arranged a meeting on the issue with Andrew Murdoch, the Governor.

Last night a group of about 30 searchers set out in Devonshire and Pembroke, with Mr Caines, the Belco president, calling for nightly searches to continue using rotating groups of volunteers and targeting different areas.

Ms Clarke directed the community to the Crime Stoppers hotline, 800-8477.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Ja’Dore can also contact Mr Trott by calling 717-2345 or e-mailing kenten.trott@bps.bm.

The public may also call 211 or the main police number, 295-0011.

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