A SAFE Alert is active for Carl Wayne Grusendorf, a 68-year-old man who was last seen Sunday near 4 p.m. in east Phoenix. Authorities say Grusendorf has a medical condition that may cause confusion or disorientation, and they are asking the public to help locate him.
According to KTAR News 92.3 FM, the Phoenix Police Department said Grusendorf was last seen near 56th and Oak streets, south of Thomas Road. Police described him as 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, with brown eyes and black and gray hair. He was reportedly wearing a gray baseball hat, a dark-colored shirt, blue jeans and gray shoes when he disappeared.
What a SAFE Alert Means in Arizona
SAFE Alerts have replaced Silver Alerts in Arizona, and per the station's report, they are used to publicize missing persons aged 65 and older as well as missing people with dementia or developmental or cognitive disabilities. The designation signals to the public that the missing person may face added risk because of a medical or cognitive condition, as appears to be the case with Grusendorf.
Anyone with information about Grusendorf's whereabouts is asked to contact the Phoenix Police Department Missing Persons Unit at 602-534-2121.
No Waiting Period Required to Report Someone Missing
Families sometimes hesitate to contact police right away, but the Phoenix Police Department says that is a misconception — there is no required waiting period before reporting an adult missing. The department notes that thousands of adults are reported missing in Phoenix every year, underscoring how common these cases are even as each one carries its own urgency for the family involved.
No further updates on Grusendorf's case were available at the time of this report.
