CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FL. — A high-tech program is working to keep people who are at risk of wandering off safe while giving family members peace of mind.
The Project Lifesaver Program is used by public-safety agencies across the country, including the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office.
"Traumatic brain injuries, dementia, Alzheimer's, autism, it's for children, it's for adults, and it's absolutely free," said Claudette Bennett, Public Informations Officer with CCSO.
The mission of the project lifesaver program is to quickly locate people with cognitive disorders who tend to wander off.
"The participant is registered within the program, and they are given a band that has a specific frequency for that individual," said Bennett.
First responders can find the individual using a receiver that tracks the signal transmitted from the wristband with a reach of a mile.
As the receiver gets closer to the band, the louder and faster it'll beep.
"Our search and rescue can go out and hone in on that individual's location based on the specific frequency from that band," said Bennett.
Recovery times for Project Lifesaver agencies average 30 minutes.
"In all of the cases that we have had to use this program, all of the recoveries have been very, very quick," said Bennett.
On Friday, this program helped locate a Charlotte County man with dementia who went missing in Texas.
He is a member of the program in Charlotte County.
The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office assisted in locating the man by giving the San Antonio Police Department his wristband frequency number.
"It's a tremendous feeling when you're able to bring a loved one home, so assisting San Antonio PD with that was exhilarating," said Bennett.
While it is free for families to sign up in Charlotte County, there are requirements.
"The individual has to have a tendency to wander, they have to have 24/7 care," said Bennett.
The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office has about 30 adults and children who are participants in this program.
To learn more about The Project Lifesaver Program in Charlotte County, click here.
To learn more about Project Lifesaver International, click here.
