First, bumping.
Second, I helped search for Jake on the last day they had volunteer searchers (day 4 I think). I helped search a swath of dense woods just outside of town and ended up being in line next to his grandpa (if I remember correctly) and a longtime family friend. I've lived very near Laporte for my entire life and I figured I could clear things up for some posters.
So, first, even though it was cold and snowy the day after Jake went missing IIRC it was actually a decent day the day he went missing. Also the coat he was wearing was not just a thin coat. Lots of farmers wear that style of coat and they are very warm, so he was not underdressed.
Second, Laporte is a very small town where everyone knows everyone. If his walk to the creek was only 2 blocks away that is not far at all. They are small blocks so it was maybe a 5 to 10 minute walk max. Plus it's likely most people on the way that he might run into would know him or know of him, so presumably "safe" individuals (or at least the family would certainly assume so, it's their neighbors, they likely see them often). Also it was stated by the media, so take this as you will, that he had just started beginning to do things like ask to go out on his own for small amounts of time. The family wanted him to have some independence and wanted to foster this as he was 16 so a walk 2 blocks away was a safe way for him to do that. Again this was thru media so do with it what you will.
Also the searchers worked incredibly hard thru difficult areas and even though they aren't stating one way or the other that they are looking at foul play, I believe they are looking at all angles equally. They just put so much effort into the river searches because that's the only info they've really had as far as the general public knows. I do know as I was leaving the search the day I was there they were actively searching even locked empty for sale houses and all the out buildings and garages by the river that they could.
