IN-DEPTH: Greene Co. Officials discuss Project Lifesaver

Posted: Oct 30, 2023 / 11:14 AM EDT

Updated: Oct 30, 2023 / 01:47 PM EDT

GREENE COUNTY, Ind. (WAWV / WTWO) – A local sheriff’s office is reminding residents about a free program that could save a loved one’s life someday.

Greene County Sheriff, George Dallaire, appeared Monday morning on WTWO at 6:30 on Monday to discuss Project Lifesaver. The public safety program is designed to protect and locate missing persons due to wandering.

The program’s website said, “The primary mission of Project Lifesaver is to provide timely response to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children with the propensity to wander due to a cognitive condition.”

“Greene County is rural,” explains Sheriff Dallaire. “A lot of them are living next to corn fields and, you have a three-year-old autistic child, and they disappear into 6-foot corn, 100-acre field, it would be a real chore. Many of the areas are wooded. So, you can learn sight really quickly.”

The program is for anyone with a cognitive disorder, such as Alzheimer’s, Autism, Down Syndrome, and other developmental disorders.

The patient wears a bracelet fitted with a transmitter. If the person wanders off, police can activate the tracker to locate the missing person within 20 minutes, on average.

“Many of those families have extra bills; medical bills, they’re taking their children to special schools because they have special needs. So, we’re really proud we can offer it to them at no cost,” Dallaire said.

To learn more about Project Lifesaver, you can call the Greene County Sheriff’s Office at 812-384-4411.

2023 Project LifeSaver Sponsorship

Midwest Motors – Jasonville

Bill’s Auto/Babcock’s – Bloomfield

Casa SeVilla – Bloomfield

Tieman Tires Switz City and Owensburg

Todd Stipp DDS – Worthignton

Light House Meats – Bloomfied

Byers Home Furnshings – Bloomfield

Crossroads Café’ – Bloomfield

Shakamak Family Pharmacy – Jasonville

Briar Creek Kennels – Hymera