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'Project Lifesaver' offered for free to residents in Allegheny County

Right now, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala is sponsoring Project Lifesaver for free for anyone living in Allegheny County

'Project Lifesaver' offered for free to residents in Allegheny County

Right now, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala is sponsoring Project Lifesaver for free for anyone living in Allegheny County

REPORTER: IT IS WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY, THINK OF IT AS A FANCY GAME OF HOT COLD. THE CLOSER MY BRACELET GETS WITH THE TRANSMITTER. >> LISTEN CLOSELY. THAT BEEPING YOU HEAR IS COMING FROM THIS TRANSMITTER ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE WATCH. IT’S ONE OF THE TOOLS FIRST RESPONDERS HAVE WHEN IT COMES TO THE SEARCH FOR A MISSING PERSON. >> HAVING A DEDICATED TRACKER CAN REALLY PUT US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BEFORE WE GO BEYOND OUR REACH. REPORTER: THE PROGRAM IS CALLED PROJECT LIFESAVER BECAUSE, WELL, IT DOES JUST THAT. >> THREE TOM -- EVERY TIME WE HAVE BEEN BOOTS ON THE GROUND WE HAVE BROUGHT SOMEONE HOME. REPORTER: SERGEANT DETECTIVE JAMES WILLIAMS WITH THE MUNHILL POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT’S DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE WITH THE PROPENSITY TO WANDER THINK OF , THOSE WITH PTSD OR DEMENTIA OR EVEN KIDS WITH AUTISM. >> MY SON IS AUTISTIC AND THAT’S HOW WE GOT THIS PROGRAM STARTED. IF YOU CARE AND LOVE FOR THEM, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TOOLS THAT’S INVALUABLE BECAUSE WE GET -- UNDERSTAND, PEOPLE FALL ASLEEP, PEOPLE AFTER FULL LAUNDRY, TAKE A SHOWER. WE ARE THERE TO JUDGE ANYBODY. REPORTER: AND RIGHT NOW, THANKS TO THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, IT’S FREE FOR ANYONE WHO LIVES IN THE COUNTY. IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU THINK MAY BENEFIT YOUR FAMILY OR A LOVED ONE, WE HAVE INFORMATION ON WTAE.COM.
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'Project Lifesaver' offered for free to residents in Allegheny County

Right now, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala is sponsoring Project Lifesaver for free for anyone living in Allegheny County

When someone goes missing, every second matters. Local law enforcement say that's especially true when those that go missing have some sort of disability. Right now, in Allegheny County, there is a free program designed to help those with the propensity to wander to stay. It's called Project Lifesaver. Project Lifesaver is a national program and is currently offered in 41 states, including Pennsylvania. The Munhall Boro Police Department first established it in the Pittsburgh Area ten years ago. "My son is autistic, and that is how we got this program started," said Detective Sergeant James Williams with the Munhall Boro Police Department. People enrolled in the program wear a small transmitter, which emits a unique tracking signal. The transmitter is no bigger than a watch. It can be worn on a person's wrist or ankle. If a person goes missing, search teams use their signal-receiving equipment to track and locate the missing person via the unique signal. Williams says the program has a proven track record. Since it's a radio frequency, the transmitting signal is reliable in all parts of the area. It can pick up a frequency in the tunnels and even in water. "If you care and love for a person," said Williams, "this is one of those tools that's invaluable. We understand that people fall asleep, they have to put in a load of laundry, they have to take a shower. That's usually the time when someone goes missing." According to Pennsylvania State Police, there were 54 reports of missing persons across Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties last year. All of those cases have been solved. Top headlines:Industry Borough residents concerned with ongoing brown water issuesD.A. visits scenes related to killing of Brackenridge Police Chief McIntirePennsylvania passes 'forever chemicals' drinking water limit "If we know that a person may have special need or a tendency to wander off, if we know the area where to start at, having that dedicator mile tracker can really put us in the right direction before we go beyond our reach," said Trooper Rocco Gagliardi. Right now, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala is sponsoring Project Lifesaver for free for anyone living in Allegheny County. "It's free, completely free," said Assistant District Attorney Angela Kelley. "It's an invaluable tool that saves lives. We just need more people to know about it and know that it's offered." Kelley says right now, about 100 people are enrolled in the program in Allegheny County. Any Allegheny County resident who is a caregiver can enroll on behalf of a person with Alzheimer's or dementia, Down Syndrome, or autism. The program is also available for veterans suffering from PTSD. A person must receive care from a caregiver 24 hours a day to qualify. If you would like to learn more about the program, you can contact the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office via phone at (412) 350-3138 or online.

When someone goes missing, every second matters. Local law enforcement say that's especially true when those that go missing have some sort of disability.

Right now, in Allegheny County, there is a free program designed to help those with the propensity to wander to stay. It's called Project Lifesaver.

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Project Lifesaver is a national program and is currently offered in 41 states, including Pennsylvania. The Munhall Boro Police Department first established it in the Pittsburgh Area ten years ago.

"My son is autistic, and that is how we got this program started," said Detective Sergeant James Williams with the Munhall Boro Police Department.

People enrolled in the program wear a small transmitter, which emits a unique tracking signal. The transmitter is no bigger than a watch. It can be worn on a person's wrist or ankle. If a person goes missing, search teams use their signal-receiving equipment to track and locate the missing person via the unique signal.

Williams says the program has a proven track record. Since it's a radio frequency, the transmitting signal is reliable in all parts of the area. It can pick up a frequency in the tunnels and even in water.

"If you care and love for a person," said Williams, "this is one of those tools that's invaluable. We understand that people fall asleep, they have to put in a load of laundry, they have to take a shower. That's usually the time when someone goes missing."

According to Pennsylvania State Police, there were 54 reports of missing persons across Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties last year. All of those cases have been solved.

Top headlines:

    "If we know that a person may have special need or a tendency to wander off, if we know the area where to start at, having that dedicator mile tracker can really put us in the right direction before we go beyond our reach," said Trooper Rocco Gagliardi.

    Right now, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala is sponsoring Project Lifesaver for free for anyone living in Allegheny County.

    "It's free, completely free," said Assistant District Attorney Angela Kelley. "It's an invaluable tool that saves lives. We just need more people to know about it and know that it's offered."

    Kelley says right now, about 100 people are enrolled in the program in Allegheny County. Any Allegheny County resident who is a caregiver can enroll on behalf of a person with Alzheimer's or dementia, Down Syndrome, or autism. The program is also available for veterans suffering from PTSD. A person must receive care from a caregiver 24 hours a day to qualify.

    If you would like to learn more about the program, you can contact the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office via phone at (412) 350-3138 or online.