They may have thought they knew. Lois Smart said they seemed too casual when they took the call. It's natural for police to think of a runaway situation, when they hear a teenager or adult is missing. I think that's why the Smarts went on and got the neighbors. I could see them not being able to stand still and wait patiently for police.
So often, when I would lose sight of a child in a crowd or a store, I would think of Adam Walsh, whose mother only went to another aisle of the store. When you feel that way, you want instant action, from somebody!
If in fact the Smarts called the police and said..." THIS IS ED SMART ! OUR DAUGTER HAS BEEN KIDNAPPED BY GUNPOINT SEVERAL HOURS AGO!! OUR 9 YEAR OLD WAS TOLD NOT TO TELL, OR SHE WOULD BE KILLED...WE LIVE AT....."
The police would NOT be casual. The question here is.......What did they tell the police on that initial call?
What did they think 40=50 ward members could do?