Project Lifesaver helps Oshkosh police find missing people

[doodles1211]

If you have a loved one who is at risk of wandering, such as those living with dementia, autism or down syndrome, the Oshkosh Police Department is using a special device that can bring them home safely. It's called Project Lifesaver.

The person whose at risk is assigned their own radio frequency that transmits from a bracelet they wear. If they go missing, officers place an antenna on their squad car and drive from the person's last known location until they pick-up the signal. Once they pinpoint the area, they start walking with a hand-held device, and through a series of beeps, it leads them directly to the missing person.

"I can't even imagine being the loved one, and the stress and worry that you're under when your loved one has wandered. So being able to tell them within 30 minutes, 'We've located your loved one. They're fine. They're safe. They're on their way back to you,'" said Officer Kate Mann.

Oshkosh police officers have located one missing person so far using the system.

If you'd like to learn more about Project Lifesaver or sign-up for the program, call Officer Kate Mann at (920) 236-5742 or email kmann@ci.oshkosh.wi.us

Project Lifesaver helps Oshkosh police find missing people

 

[LadyL]

oh wow that is amazing!

 

[imstilla.grandma]

The initial cost to enroll a child in the program is $350 per child and then $150 per year. The money is used to purchase batteries and bracelets, said Yoder.

Okroi said she was able to receive help from the Morrison County Social Services to cover the cost of having Keaton and Landen equipped with bracelets.

Yoder said MCSO started using the Project Lifesaver program in 2005. The bracelet, which can be worn either on the wrist or the ankle, emits a unique frequency signal for each individual.

If the enrolled individual goes missing and the caregiver notifies the local Project Lifesaver agency, officers who have been trained in Project Lifesaver respond to the area the missing person wandered.

Yoder said ideally three locating devices are used to create a triangle effect. However, since MCSO only has two, they improvise and do the best they can with what they have.

If a child isn’t found right away, they call in assistance from the Todd County Sheriff’s Office and Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, who also use Project Lifesaver.

Each locating device covers a radius of one mile. By the frequency and volume of the beeps it emits, it lets the handler know if they are close to the wanderer and in what direction they went.

Yoder said he hopes to increase enough funds one day for MCSO to purchase a third locating device. Although MCSO could raise the enrollment cost, they are choosing not to as it would burden the families financially.
Device enables law enforcement to find missing children with autism faster