Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn Launches LA Found, Initiative to Locate People who Wander Away and Go Missing
Supervisor Hahn with Sheriff Jim McDonnell at the launch of L.A. Found.
Wednesday September 5, 2018
Los Angeles, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Sheriff Jim McDonnell, and Director of the L.A. County Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services Department (WDACS) Cynthia Banks came together to officially launch “L.A. Found,” a groundbreaking countywide initiative which aims to quickly locate individuals with autism, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease when they wander and go missing.
It features a system of trackable bracelets that can be located using receivers carried in Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department helicopters and designated ground units. To learn how to qualify for a bracelet, caregivers can visit www.LAFound.com.
L.A. Found is the culmination of community input and expert recommendations through the Bringing Our Loved Ones Home (BOLOH) Task Force, originally proposed through a motion authored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and coauthored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger. In February 2018, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a comprehensive set of strategies proposed by the BOLOH Task Force, including a countywide pilot program to provide trackable bracelets to County residents (now known as L.A. Found).
“If you have cared for someone with dementia or autism, you know the fear of what might happen if you turn your back for just one minute,” said Supervisor Hahn. “L.A. Found will not only save lives, it will finally give caregivers some peace of mind. If someone you love goes missing, L.A. County is ready to step in and help find them.”
Wandering is a common problem associated with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and autism. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 60% of people with dementia will wander at some point while a study by the Interactive Autism Network found that 49% of children with autism will engage in wandering behavior. While the vast majority of these individuals are recovered, wandering cases can end in tragedy.
Project Lifesaver and the bracelet that will be used in the program.
“Our LASD mission is to be the eyes and ears in the sky and on the ground. This technology literally enables lost loved ones to communicate their location to us and enable us to do all we can as first responders, to bring peace, comfort and families back together again,” said Sheriff Jim McDonnell.
L.A. County has more than 177,000 residents with Alzheimer’s disease. There’s also a large population of people with autism and other developmental disorders that make them susceptible to wandering.
The L.A. Found initiative establishes a voluntary system of trackable bracelets, provided by the non-profit organization Project Lifesaver, for at-risk individuals. While the bracelet is not under constant monitoring, when an individual wearing a bracelet goes missing, caregivers call 9-1-1 and the police agency or sheriff’s station will inform the Sheriff’s Department Mental Evaluation Team who will deploy receivers to help locate the missing person. The Project Lifesaver bracelet uses radio frequency technology to transmit an electronic “chirping” signal to help rescuers locate the wearer.
Electronic handheld receivers are used to locate missing persons with the bracelets and are being used by law enforcement agencies across the country with great success. Weather permitting, airborne searching improves the distance a signal can be detected using specially equipped sheriff’s service helicopters in the event someone wearing the special bracelet is lost.
In order to qualify for the program, caregivers must first schedule a phone interview with either the Sheriff’s Department or WDACS through the website at www.LAFound.com. Once an at-risk individual qualifies, the caregiver will be allowed to purchase and register the bracelet with the Sheriff’s Department.
The bracelets cost $325, plus shipping and handling. There are leasing opportunities available through Project Lifesaver. There is currently a waiting list to be considered for a free bracelet. Call 1-833-569-7651 or email [email protected] to be placed on the waiting list.
Supervisor Hahn’s office, the County of Los Angeles and the City of Los Angeles have made 330 bracelets available free of charge.
In addition to launching the Project Lifesaver bracelet system countywide, the L.A. Found Program will also improve and coordinate the County’s response to missing persons with Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, or other cognitive impairments.
“We want caregivers to know that the County is here for you. Through L.A. Found we are not only providing access to tracking bracelets, but collaborating with law enforcement agencies, municipalities and other partners to improve emergency coordination, while providing information and resources to support individuals caring for someone with Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia or Autism,” said Cynthia D. Banks, WDACS Director.
