BETHLEHEM, Pa. — For loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or autism who may wander off from where they should be, one possible solution could be as simple as them putting on a bracelet.
Bethlehem City Council on Tuesday made room in its budget for a new $60,000 grant to provide both necessary training for police departments countywide and related equipment for Project Lifesaver — a training and search and rescue operation run locally through the city Health Bureau.
The vote of approval was unanimous. Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith and Councilman Bryan Callahan were absent.
“Our goal is to have every police department in Northampton County trained because we do provide bracelets to residents of Northampton County, so that way if they cross borders, they have a police department who can follow through with the search and rescue."Sherri Penchishen, chronic disease programs director with Bethlehem Health Bureau
“Our goal is to have every police department in Northampton County trained because we do provide bracelets to residents of Northampton County, so that way if they cross borders, they have a police department who can follow through with the search and rescue,” said Sherri Penchishen, chronic disease programs director with Bethlehem Health Bureau.
Enrollment in the program and equipment involved is available free. To learn more, call the Health Bureau at 610-865-7083.
Residents of Bethlehem's Lehigh County area also can reach out to officials for help. Other police departments in Lehigh County also are trained in Project Lifesaver.
A network of help
According to a Project Lifesaver webinar from the Health Bureau, the program:
- Involves a bracelet worn on the wrist or ankle, featuring a transmitter to give off radio signals trackable by law enforcement
- Is aimed at those living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Down syndrome, autism and others “at risk” of wandering or life-threatening behavior to self
- Includes 12 Northampton County police departments in the network, from Bethlehem City to Slate Belt Regional to Bushkill Township departments
“I just think this a great program," Councilwoman Hillary Kwiatek said.
"And knowing that all of the police departments in the county will be trained means that if someone wanders and they cross a jurisdictional line, that’s not going to be an issue."
