The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office has initiated a new program called Project Lifesaver.
Its mission is to provide a timely response in the search for adults and children who wander due to Autism, Alzheimer's traumatic brain injuries or other cognitive conditions.
Clients are fitted with a bracelet which emits a specific frequency that sheriff's deputies are able to locate using a special tracking antenna.
The program has been running in Erie, Niagara and Cattaraugus counties.
Merrie Maxon's son Zavyn benefits from project lifesaver. He is 9-years-old, and lives with autism. Maxon says Zavyn has a tenancy to wander, so the program provides some piece of mind.
"I'm very grateful," said Maxon. "It helps to transmit his location if he was ever to walk away."
Zavyn is one of 13 children who have the device in his county. The fitted bracelet transmits a frequency signal to the local police agency. On average, Maxon says the children can be located within 30 minutes.
The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s office currently has two certified deputies who are trained in locating and equipping clients with these special bracelets. The client and family will be interviewed by the program deputy and the deputy will be permanently assigned to the client and will be responsible for battery installation and technical issues.
To learn more about the program, click here: http://www.sheriff.us/
