By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Princeton senior citizens who may have an emergency and who are alone for long periods of time don’t need to worry about how they would let the police into their homes if they cannot answer the door — thanks to Operation Blue Angel.
The Princeton Police Department is preparing to launch Operation Blue Angel, a free program which is aimed at residents who are at least 55 years old, who live alone or who could be alone for extended periods of time on a regular basis, or who may have a medical condition that could lead to their being incapacitated.
A police officer will put a lockbox — which contains a key to the house, supplied by the resident — on the front door of a program participant’s home. The lockbox can only be opened by a police officer, and only in an emergency when the officer is otherwise unable to get inside the house.
The Operation Blue Angel lockbox, which is owned and maintained by the Police Department, will not be used if a resident locks himself or herself out of the house, or for any other non-emergency situation. It can only be used in an emergency.
Any interested residents should print out the Operation Blue Angel program form, read it and review the waiver and requirements, and return the completed form to the Princeton Police Department at 1 Valley Road, Princeton, NJ 08540. They should write “Attention: Blue Angle Program Coordinator” on the envelope.
A police officer will get in touch with the resident, once the form has been mailed to the Police Department, regarding acceptance and participation in the new program. Those with questions should call the Police Department at 921-2100, ext. 1887.
The Operation Blue Angel form is available at www.princetonnj.gov on the main page.
