Jackson police are promoting the use of a device that will help law enforcement officers track a person who wanders away from his home. JACKSON — A program aimed at protecting individuals who may wander away from the people who are caring for them will now be able to bring peace of mind to families and caregivers.
Project Lifesaver is in place in Jackson. The program is generally available to families of children who have autism or Down syndrome, and to families of adults who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
The individual wears a small tracking device that would help searchers find that person if he or she cannot be located.
“This program allows the police department to be able to conduct tracking in order to locate these individuals, hopefully in minutes instead of hours or days,” Jackson police Sgt. Christopher Parise said.
“Jackson has a tremendous wooded area throughout town, and it takes a significant effort to track down people who wander into the woods. Cost-wise it is more effective to handle these situations in this manner instead of taking days to track someone down,” he added.
The ankle device that is worn by an individual emits a radio signal that is specifically assigned to that person. The signal goes from the individual to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit, which has mobile tracking units and can locate the signal and track down the missing person.
Project Lifesaver is a nonprofit organization that is in use in every state, Parise said.
The Jackson Policemen’s Benevolent Association and the Kiwanis Club of Jackson have worked together to provide tracking bracelets for Jackson residents who can benefit from having the device.
Parise said there is a small monthly maintenance fee for the tracking device, and he said police officers will come to a person’s home to change the battery when necessary. Individuals who cannot afford the monthly fee may still be covered, he said.
Kiwanis Club President Floyd Adams said, “We work closely with the Jackson PBA and we decided to bring Project Lifesaver to the police, and they loved the idea. One of the things we do is help the children of the world.”
On a recent day at the home of Jackson resident Kelly Coluccio, who has a son with autism, Sheriff’s Officer Patrick McIntyre, Project Lifesaver spokeswoman June Farrington, Jackson Police Chief Matthew Kunz and Parise explained how the tracking device will be worn by Coluccio’s son.
“Every 30 days we will come and change the battery,” said McIntyre, who noted that the device is waterproof, sandbox proof and very durable. “The transmitter will emit a frequency every second.”
Farrington gave Coluccio a card with the frequency number for her 4-year-old son, and McIntyre suggested that Coluccio should place that number in her cell phone list.
“It won’t dial, but it will always be there whether you go shopping at the mall or go [anywhere else],” said McIntyre. “If there is ever a problem you can call us 24 hours a day and give us that [frequency] number.”
McIntyre then attached the Project Lifesaver device to the child’s ankle.
Coluccio said she liked the idea of having a way to find a missing person quickly.
Kunz said Project Lifesaver is a wonderful program.
“We can’t do enough to bring attention to its existence,” the chief said. “The benefits are tremendous, and we are hoping that through awareness we can bring this project to a lot more families and hope to avert some serious, tragic situations.”
For more information about Project Lifesaver, call Jackson Sgt. Christopher Parise at 732-928-1111 and leave a message, or call Sheriff’s Officer Patrick McIntyre or June Farrington at the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, 732-341-3451.
Floyd Adams can be reached for more information at the Kiwanis Club of Jackson, 609-540-0418.