Girl Scout Lauded For Lock Box Program For Seniors

It's the kind of break-in you might welcome.

A local Girl Scout has designed the free "Lacey Lock Box" program, for residents 55 and up with potentially incapacitating medical conditions.

The program is designed to help first responders and Lacey police gain access to homes where someone needs assistance, Police Chief Michael C. DiBella said.

"Only the Lacey Township Police Department will have access to the lock box," DiBella said. "The lock box is used in emergency situations where the door is locked and first responders must gain entry to the residence. Use of the lock box can prevent costly property damage from forced entry, and reduce delays in caring for the resident. The lock box may also be used in the event of a well-being check."

The program was coordinated by township resident Erin Foreman, 16. Erin is working toward her Gold Star Award, which is comparable to an Eagle Scout for a Boy Scout.

Erin volunteered over 80 hours preparing this program, including meeting and presenting the program to the Pheasant Run community, the Rotary Club of Forked River, and the Municipal Alliance Senior luncheon, the chief said.

She also presented the program to the Lacey Township Committee at the March 9 meeting.

Erin designed the idea for the Lacey Police website link, which included the on-line printable application. Erin received over 70 lock boxes from donations alone.

She officially handed over the program to the police department at the meeting. The program officially began at 8 a.m. on March 10.

J. Lorton and Company, located at 421 South Main Street in Forked River, has stepped forward and has agreed to volunteer their time to install these lock boxes on a monthly basis free of charge.

Residents must be 55 or older, have a potentially incapacitating medical condition and live alone or be alone frequently.

Terms and Conditions

1. Must provide one or more keys for an entry door to the house
2. Must grant the Lacey Township Police Department permission to access the lock box and use the key(s) in an emergency
3. Must notify the Lacey Township Police Department if you move. so that we may retrieve the lock box
4. Must notify the Lacey Township Police Department if the locks are changed and must provide a new key(s)
5. Only the Lacey Township Police Department will have access to the lock box

Liability Release

1. This program requires the participant to complete a liability release.

Residents who are interested in signing up for this program may go to our website at http://www.laceypd.org/

Image: Courtesy of Lacey Township