Lawrence County has some new life-saving technology than can help protect citizens with issues like Alzheimer’s, autism, Down Syndrome, dementia, and other forms of cognitive impairment.
The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office got a grant back in December from Foundation for the Tri-State Community. They used the $4,783 to upgrade the equipment for their Project Lifesaver Program. Project Lifesaver allows law enforcement to place trackers on those with cognitive impairments so they can find them quickly should they wander off. The Sheriff’s Office has purchased two PLI-3000 tracking devices, hard cases to carry the equipment and seven new transmitters. The transmitters are fitted into a wristband. Currently, they have 17 clients locally.
Project Lifesaver was founded back in 1999 and was one of the first groups in the country to focus on finding missing individuals with cognitive impairments. Law enforcement agencies certified by Project Lifesaver have an average recovery time of just half an hour for missing individuals. That’s 95% faster than law enforcement agencies that aren’t using Project Lifesaver.
Normally the bracelets cost families $350, but thanks to grants and charitable support, the Sheriff’s Office is able to provide them for free to Lawrence County Residents. There is a $10 a month fee for maintaining the battery, but that fee can be waived if the family can’t afford it.
Nancy Huff, Director of Lawrence County Project Lifesaver says that in the past 12 years, they had 14 successful searches using this equipment. “We found them all.”
If you have questions or are interested in participating in Project Lifesaver, call Nancy Huff at 740-532-3525
