Perth County OPP will host two information sessions this month for residents to learn about Project Lifesaver.
Sergeant Patrick Armstrong with Perth County OPP says Project Lifesaver is a radio frequency tracking program that can help locate vulnerable people who are prone to wandering.
"Those with dementia, specifically those with Alzheimers, things like that, as well as with mental disabilities, when they wander, whether purposeful or non-purposeful, it allows that we're able to safely locate them quickly and efficiently without putting them at risk," Sergeant Armstrong explained. "When we're dealing with dementia and things like that, this gives that security to the families and allows for police to quickly and safely find them using radio frequency transmitters in these little wristbands."
The information sessions will be held in Mitchell at the municipal office on November 22 from 10-11 a.m. and the Parkview Gardens in Listowel November 27 from 2-3 p.m. Sergeant Armstrong will be on-hand alongside Victim Services Huron Perth, which administer the program locally.
"The thing with radio frequency versus GPS, for instance, is that radio frequency can work through walls, trees, any sort of adverse weather conditions, and the battery lasts for quite a long time. So it really is the best way to protect your loved ones who wander," added Sergeant Armstrong.
"Victim Services Huron Perth is excited to be part of Project Life Saver for the Perth region," shared Deborah Logue, Executive Director Victim Services Huron Perth. "We hope that by using fundraised dollars to provide new clients a free trial offer it will promote the use of the product to individuals that may have had financial barriers to using it prior to this opportunity. Project Lifesaver will give confidence to our families that their loved one can be located if they wander away and support safety planning for vulnerable individuals."