Project Lifesaver To Assist Glenwood Police Officers In Search Of Missing Persons

The Glenwood Police Department has a new tool at its disposal to protect at-risk individuals who are prone to wander and become confused in their surroundings.

Project Lifesaver is a search and rescue program for public safety agencies designed to help protect individuals with Autism, Down Syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia and other cognitive conditions that might cause the person to exhibit the dangerous behavior of wandering.

Through a grant from the Lincoln, Neb. – based Jullia Rose Foundation, the police department has acquired five Project Lifesaver kits. Each kit contains an electronic transmitter bracelet that’s worn around the wrist or ankle of the at-risk individual. The bracelet sends out a unique frequency that can be detected by a hand-held Specialized Digital Receiver possessed by the police department. 

The hand-held receiver can detect the transmitter’s frequency from up to a 3-mile range, depending on the geographical conditions. Although the receiver is not equipped with GPS technology, Glenwood Police Chief Eric Johansen said the equipment has proven to be a beneficial tracking device in other communities.

"I’m excited to be able to bring this to our community,” Johansen said. “If a person wearing a bracelet would walk off and wander, this would help locate them.”

Dan Young, a representative of the Jullia Rose Foundation, and retired Lincoln Police Sgt. Todd Beam were in Glenwood Thursday to provide Project Lifesaver training to GPD officers.

The bracelets are durable and water-proof and once placed on a person can be worn for an extended period of time. Each kit comes with a year’s supply of transmitter batteries, which must be changed on the bracelet about every 60 days.

Over 4,200 at-risk individuals have been rescued in the United States through the program, according to Young.

“It’s just an extra tool that law enforcement will have to bring a person home safely,” Young said.

Glenwood Police Officer Dan Kammerer submitted GPD’s application to the Jullia Rose Foundation for the Project Lifesaver equipment.

Getting the first batch of bracelets is a good start for the program in Glenwood, Johansen said, but the police department is accepting donations to purchase additional kits. Each transmitter bracelet and set of batteries costs about $350.

“We expect the demand to exceed the supply,” Johansen said.

PD is still developing the criteria for determining who will be eligible to receive the bracelets.

Recommendations for the program can be made by sending an email to dankammerer@glenwoodpolice.org or by calling the Glenwood Police Station at 712-527-9920.