St. George Police introduce program to help find missing and endangered individuals
Aug 2, 2019, 5:09 AM
Credit SGPD | Facebook
ST. GEORGE, Utah — The St. George Police Department has partnered with the international public safety organization Project Lifesaver in an effort to help “at-risk” individuals that are prone to wander.
Project Lifesaver offers a wristband that transmits a specific radio frequency that can help police locate individuals that may have gone missing.
Officer Tiffany Atkin from the SGPD says that she’s glad for the technology and the peace of mind that it can give family members of those who might have a tendency to wander.
“The biggest thing that I like about this that it gives the parent or the spouse of this family member this peace of mind,” she said.
The department said on Facebook Wednesday, “The primary mission of Project Lifesaver is to provide timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children with the propensity to wander due to a cognitive condition.”
Citizens, the SGPD says, can enroll and receive a small watchlike transmitter that has an individualized tracking signal according to a press release.
“If the client goes missing, the St. George Police Department will dispatch its specially trained Project Lifesaver team to respond to the area,” they continued.
Police say the technology can help reduce the time that they can spend looking for someone by 95% turning a search that could last hours, into one that lasts less than 30 minutes.
The St. George News reports that the department received a grant from Autism Speaks to help pay for 10 of the $200 transmitters.
The SGPD says will be issued quickly.
If you questions about the program or want to enroll a loved one SGPD says to contact Officer Derek Lewis at 435-627-4358 or visit the Department at 265 N. 200 East in St. George.
