Device would help find missing persons
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

JACKSON — Police are now able to track and locate missing persons with the help of an electronic bracelet.

"The Jackson Police Department in conjunction with the Ocean County Sheriff's Department is announcing the availability of Project Lifesaver to residents of Jackson or to individuals who may frequent Jackson, such as students," Jackson Police Officer Chris Parise said.

"Our goal is to provide enhanced support and assistance to our residents who are primary caregivers for an individual suffering from Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia disorder, as well as families of children with autism, Down syndrome or other similar disabilities," he added.

Individuals who have these conditions may be prone to wandering, confusion or simply getting lost, Parise said.

Project Lifesaver is a GPS tracking system. Participants in the program wear a special wrist/ankle bracelet equipped with a small transmitter that emits a signal that law enforcement personnel can follow when the person who is wearing the bracelet goes missing.

Parise said search times have been reduced from days and hours to minutes.

"This program not only saves time and manpower, but also gives caregivers and their families peace of mind and reassurance that all possible resources will be used in the effort to locate and safely return their loved one home," he said.

"In this area there recently was a missing person from one of the retirement communities, who was lost, and we are in the process of signing this individual up for the program," Parise said.

Jackson Police Chief Matthew D. Kunz said, "This is really an excellent program for protecting those persons prone to going missing, and we are pleased to be able to partner with the Ocean County Sheriff's Department in extending the benefits of the program to the residents of Jackson. We would also like to express our gratitude for the early interest and support being extended by civic organizations such as the Kiwanis in subsidizing the equipment costs for our residents."

Kunz said the Jackson Police Department will be working with the Ocean County Sheriff's Department, because Project Lifesaver complements its K-9 program with its ability to track missing persons.

Anyone with questions about Project Lifesaver may call Jackson Police Officer Chris Parise at 732-928-1111.

The monitoring bracelets are provided at no cost to Jackson residents with support from local organizations including the Jackson Kiwanis and Jackson PBA Local 168.

There is a small monthly fee to participants in Project Lifesaver to change the unit's strap and battery. Those costs may be covered under the federal PAAD program, Parise said.