The Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Martinsville City Sheriff’s Office are working together to expand Project Lifesaver, a free program designed to locate individuals who are prone to wandering due to cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or autism.
“We’ll put it on those who are at risk of wandering, whether it be from dementia, Alzheimer’s, autism, or any other cognitive disorder that may cause someone to wander away and not be able to be contacted,” Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis said.
Project Lifesaver provides wearable tracking devices to participants. If a person goes missing, specially trained teams use the device’s unique frequency to help locate them quickly and return them home safely.
The devices, which can be worn around the arm, emit a signal that law enforcement can track using handheld equipment. The receiver emits a beep that grows louder when pointed in the correct direction, guiding officers to the missing person.
Participants are asked to check the battery daily. If the battery dies or needs to be changed, officers can visit the home to assist.
“We can help each other because we have the same equipment,” said Martinsville Sheriff Steve Draper, noting the program is nationwide. “The trackers can be located by any participating police agency as long as the frequency is known.”
Draper said the program was well-received locally and emphasized the cooperative nature of the effort.
“It’s been a real positive program in the city and the county. And we’ve been fortunate enough to share resources together, even though the county didn’t actually have the program. Every time we responded to the county, their deputies came to help us,” he said.
“The Harvest Foundation started our program in 2002. They gave us some seed money,” Draper said, adding that the program remains free to the community. Families are asked to pay only the $10 battery replacement cost.
“This partnership is about more than technology,” the agencies said in a joint statement. “It’s about compassion, service, and protecting the most vulnerable members of our community,” Davis added. “We just feel like it’s our duty to serve this community in this capacity.”
Project Lifesaver is available at no cost to families in either locality. County residents can enroll by visiting the Adult Detention Center at 800 DuPont Road in Martinsville. City residents can sign up at the Martinsville City Sheriff’s Office at 13 South Moss Street.
To help families understand how the program works, an informational video is available online. The departments encourage those who may benefit to reach out.
“When we work together, our community is stronger,” the agencies said in a joint statement. “The city has had several Project Lifesaver stories, and we hope to continue this,” Davis said.
Currently, about 33 people are enrolled in the program.
