There are stories that too often have tragic endings. An elderly person suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s wanders away from home and is lost despite frantic search efforts by family, friends, and law enforcement. An initiative by the Fairhope Police Department, Mercy Medical and other local law enforcement organizations could help provide happier endings to these stories. 

Project Lifesaver works with two pieces of technology: a small, battery-operated radio transmitter that is worn like a wristwatch and a set of three radio receivers. When a person is reported missing, the police can set up three receivers and accurately pinpoint the location of the individual using the signal from the transmitter.

Cost is minimal. The program is designed for the elderly with dementia, but it can be used for any age person, perhaps a child with Down ’s syndrome, who might be in danger of wandering off and getting lost. For more information on Fairhope’s Project Lifesaver, contact the Fairhope Police Department at 928-2385 or Mercy Medical at (251) 625-2555.

The mission of the Fairhope Police Department is to work in partnership with the residents and businesses of the community to provide a safe and secure environment through the delivery of fair and impartial police services, proactive problem solving, and increased community partnerships.