Part Two
In recent years, the issue of missing women, particularly Black and Indigenous women, has gained national attention. This concern is particularly acute in Minnesota, where stark disparities in missing persons cases reflect systemic inequities in law enforcement response and societal awareness. The ongoing case of Joanne Rulford, who vanished from her North Minneapolis home in 1988, serves as a tragic reminder of the long-standing gaps in the treatment of missing persons cases based on race.
A staggering disparity
The FBI’s National Crime Information Center Missing Person and Unidentified Person database indicates that last year, there were 89,020 Black women and girls of all ages recorded as missing persons. At the end of 2021, there were 14,323 active missing cases involving Black females out of the 93,718 open files.
In contrast, the number of missing white women does not match this alarming statistic. The national narrative also suggests that Indigenous and Latina women experience similar crises, with their cases often classified under broader categories, rendering precise quantification difficult.
Underreported and overlooked
The frustrations voiced by families of missing women of color often echo the same theme: a lack of urgency and resources directed toward investigating their disappearances. As seen in the case of Joanne Rulford, law enforcement not only fails to keep adequate records but often allows cases to stagnate or fall into obscurity.
In Rulford’s case, the lack of existing records due to a bureaucratic cutoff after 1990 obstructs any potential for re-investigation. This underscores a broader issue in policing practices, where cases involving women of color receive diminished attention.
The possible narrative of law enforcement apathy has implications beyond individual cases. Research indicates that women of color—particularly Black and Indigenous women—are more likely to go missing for extended periods compared to their white counterparts. A study from the Urban Indian Health Institute revealed that Indigenous women are at a significantly higher risk of going missing or being murdered, with the majority of cases remaining unsolved.
Related Story: Can more be done to help find women of color who are missing?
Frustration and silence
Several Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR) attempts to engage the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) about Rulford’s case have yet to yield results. Calls to the Fourth Precinct went unanswered. A brief conversation with an MPD representative revealed that records for cases as old as Rulford’s may no longer exist. This lack of historical context hinders the families seeking answers and the broader quest for justice.
Upon a call to the First Precinct, we were told that the MPD Records Department would be the best place to learn anything about a case dating back to 1988. Even then, the spokesperson was not confident that information could be found.
While efforts to characterize missing persons cases through law enforcement statistics often paint a simplistic picture, they fail to capture the embedded issues of race and gender. The pervasive narrative is that cases involving women of color often languish in the face of indifference, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
An urgent call for change
The urgency around finding solutions to this crisis cannot be overstated. Advocates stress the need for law enforcement to prioritize missing persons cases involving women of color, implement better record-keeping practices, and invest in community outreach programs to enhance awareness and resources for vulnerable populations.
In addition, legislative measures like the establishment of dedicated task forces for missing and murdered women of color are essential. These task forces can facilitate collaboration between law enforcement, community organizations, and advocacy groups, ensuring that cases like those of Joanne Rulford do not fade into obscurity.
Moreover, creating educational programs for communities on safety and prevention can empower women to protect themselves and advocate for their rights. Enhancing training for law enforcement officers around cultural competency and the risks facing marginalized communities is critical for improving response rates and effectiveness.
Conclusion
The disparities in missing persons cases highlight deep-seated racial inequities within the system. The mystery of Joanne Rulford’s disappearance represents not just a singular tragedy but a broader issue of systemic neglect affecting countless women of color.
To bring about meaningful change, all stakeholders—law enforcement, community organizations, and policymakers—must unite to address the glaring disparities in how missing persons cases are treated based on race. Only then can we hope to protect the most vulnerable members of our society and ensure that their voices are heard.
Let’s not forget the numbers are real: A U.S. News article reads, “Despite making up only 15% of the female population, African American women and girls accounted for nearly 34.6% of missing women in 2021, according to the National Crime Information Center.”
Next week, we will feature the exploration of the MPD’s record department in search of missing Black women.