Newington Police Start Using Emergency Locator Technology

NEWINGTON, CT — The Newington Police Department has started using "Project Lifesaver," a locating service that can help emergency responders find missing individuals.

Project Lifesaver is designed to help locate people diagnosed with cognitive impairments that can cause them to wander and become lost, police said. Clients wear a battery-operated bracelet that emits a unique frequency tracking signal every second, 24/7.

Once a client's family alerts the Newington Police Department that their loved one is missing, specially-trained officers will travel to the person's last-reported location and use a vehicle-mounted tracking system to begin searching.

The transmitter signal can be tracked on the ground or in the air from distances of up to several miles, and a hand-held locator can be used to search areas inaccessible by vehicle, police said.

Donations from local individuals and businesses funded purchase of the equipment, and it will be put into use immediately, the Newington Police Department said on Twitter.

Since it was founded in 1999, Project Lifesaver technology has helped rescue 3,876 people, according to the nonprofit's website.

Anyone who wants more information about the program can contact Det. Shannon LaChance at (860) 594-6217.