(Deputy Kevin McCarthy shows parent Kari Powers how to use the tracking bracelet.)
The Genesee County Sheriff's Office partnered with Genesee ARC to provide tracking bracelets to children with disabilities and reassure parents that their child can be safely located.
Twelve children with disabilities were fitted for tracking bracelets today. Transmitters inside the bracelet emit signals and the Sheriff's Office can pick up the the signals with a receiver. The missing child can be located within 15 minutes.
Sheriff Gary Maha has been trying to implement Project Lifesaver, an program that provides equipment to police officers to locate children who are at risk of wandering, in the county for several years. However, Maha was not able to get the funding until recently. The Sheriff's Office received the equipment through the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Service. The 13 transmitters and two receivers they were given cost approximately $7,500. Each transmitter is worth $350 plus the cost of batteries, which need to be replaced every month.
"I think it's important because there are children out there with disabilities including autism and Down Syndrome and many of these children have a tendency to wander," Maha said. "We have met with parents and they are overjoyed that we were able to get Project Lifesaver here in the county."
The Sheriff's Office worked with the Genesee ARC to help them implement the project. The ARC reached out to the families and assisted them with the process.
Morgan Powers, an 8-year-old with autism, was one of the children who received a bracelet. Her parents, Brian and Kari Powers, were relieved their daughter was getting a bracelet because she has wandered off several times and safety is their biggest concern.
"We are very excited to be here," Kari Powers said. "It has been a couple of months since we found out about the program and we are very strong advocates for it. Morgan is a risk taker. She does a lot of wandering off especially these past two weeks since she has been out of school."
Maha hopes the Sheriff's Office can get more funding in the future to continue the program every year.
I believe this is a wonderful
I believe this is a wonderful idea. I would love to see this done for Alzheimer patients also. I would love to see the GCSD be reimbursed by insurance one day. This needs to be a part of their health care. Keep up the great work!
"I believe this is a
"I believe this is a wonderful idea. I would love to see this done for Alzheimer patients also."
Why limit it to Alzheimer patients? How about open it up for any senior citizen who suffers from any kind of mental illness, or disease that can cause them to become confused, and possibly wander from home, nursing home, or assisted living center?
Raymond, I would love to see
Raymond, I would love to see it benefit anyone. It doesn't have to be just for Alzheimer's as I said "also". There are many people right now both young and old which could use this. I am in agreement. I think this is needed and it should be expanded.
Hey Ray just a little medical
Hey Ray just a little medical knowledge for you. The conditions you describe and Altzheimers all fall under the diagnosis of dementia. if you look it up Altzheimers is a diagnosis that can't really be verified until after death and an autopsy is performed. Thats why Dr's call it a diagnosis. But you right it should be available to all suffering some sort of dimentia.
Kyle, I'm very well aware of
Kyle, I'm very well aware of that thank you.
"I think it's important
"I think it's important because there are children out there with disabilities including autism and Down Syndrome and many of these children have a tendency to wander," Maha said.
......... really Sheriff? couple of weeks ago a child with out a disability wandered off and the mother got arrested and charged with a crime...... crazy world we live in,