Hanover: “Safety Net” demonstration shows how police track those who wander

Local leaders and representatives from LoJack were on hand for a demonstration of their technology Thursday in Hanover. But instead of searching for cars, they were searching for people.

In the final days of Autism awareness month, officials in Plymouth County have rolled out a new service used to help locate people who are prone to wandering and becoming lost, such as people who suffer from cognitive conditions such as autism and Alzheimer’s. The program, titled Safety Net, uses a transmitted radio signal from a device, similar to technology used by law enforcement departments all over the country to try and locate stolen vehicles.

The at-risk person wears a rugged wristband or anklet which transmits radio signals, and if the person is reported missing, officers are able to pick up the signal on a handheld receiver.

The equipment and training for twenty Plymouth County Sheriff Deputies was provided at no cost to the town or the sheriff’s department courtesy of LoJack.

Contact your local police department or the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department to learn more and to enroll.