'Project Lifesaver' offered for free to residents 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.