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Middlesex Sheriff Koutoujian, Everett Mayor DeMaria and Everett Police Chief Mazzie Announce SafetyNet Partnership

Press Release 10/30/2012

 

Middlesex Sheriff Koutoujian, Everett Mayor DeMaria andEverett Police Chief Mazzie Announce SafetyNet Partnership

Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian, Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria and Everett Police Chief Steve Mazzie announced Tuesday, October 30, the sheriff’s office and the city have partnered with a local Massachusetts company to bring new technology to the city designed to help rescue people with cognitive conditions who are prone to wandering.

The SafetyNet Tracking service provides public safety agencies with the tools and training to more effectively find and rescue individuals who could or are prone to wandering and becoming lost. It also helps caregivers provide an added layer of protection for loved ones with cognitive conditions from the life-threatening behavior of wandering.

"This is a win, win, win," said Sheriff Koutoujian. "It’s a win for individuals because it increases the likelihood that missing persons with cognitive conditions will be found safe and sound. It’s a win for caregivers because it provides peace of mind that there’s a safety net out there for their loved ones. And it’s a win for taxpayers because it cuts down on the high cost of extended searches that require additional manpower."

"The police department and I are eager to work with Sheriff Koutoujian’s Office to begin implementing this service for Everett residents. SafetyNet will help provide peace of mind for the caregivers of those with cognitive impairment. It will also give our police and emergency responders a significant new tool to help locate those who may become lost," said Mayor DeMaria, "Everett is fortunate to be one of the communities that will benefit from such a valuable program."

"The Everett Police Department is pleased to be a partner in this endeavor that aims to assist people and their families at a time when its needed most - when a loved one with special needs wanders from home," said Chief Mazzie.

Nationwide, more than 5.1 million people are estimated to have Alzheimer’s. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and in early October a new study on Autism and wandering was released showing 49 percent of respondents had a child, age four or over, with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) attempt to run away at least once. Of those who wandered away, according to the study, more than 50 percent were gone long enough to cause concern for a caregiver. The study was condcuted by the Interactive Autism Network in Baltimore.

Twenty members of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office have been trained Tracking to operate search and rescue receivers that detect the radio frequencies emitted by a SafetyNet Bracelet worn by those enrolled in the service. The receivers and the training were provided to the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office at no cost to taxpayers.

The service costs those enrolled in it just $30 per month.

The SafetyNet service supplements traditional search and rescue procedures.

"This allows us to provide a 21st century solution to a 21st century public health issue," said Sheriff Koutoujian.

For more information about the SafetyNet service, please call (877) 4-FIND-THEM (877-434-6384) or visit http://safetynetbySafetyNet.com/. A 30-day no obligation trial is available for interested caregivers.