Police departments are expanding safety programs designed to help protect individuals who may have difficulty communicating or who are prone to eloping. Interest in these initiatives has grown following cases of missing vulnerable children and adults, prompting more families to explore tools that enable first responders to quickly locate, identify, and communicate with individuals with disabilities during emergencies.
Project Lifesaver – Albany
A free program that provides wearable devices to adults and children who may be prone to eloping. The devices can be tracked by radio frequency to locate the wearer in an emergency.
Sign up for Project Lifesaver in Albany County: https://www.albanycountyny.gov/government/county-sheriff/project-lifesaver
Handle with Care – Colonie
An open registry that allows officers and family members to provide information about individuals that could assist during a search, emergency response, or crisis de-escalation. The program has been especially valuable for families with loved ones who may have difficulty communicating effectively. Its success has led to the adoption of similar initiatives in communities across the country.
Sign up for Handle with Care in the town of Colonie: https://www.townofcolonie.gov/departments/police/resources/handle-with-care-registry
As awareness of these programs continues to grow, families are taking proactive steps to ensure their loved ones can be located and assisted quickly during emergencies. Project Lifesaver and Handle with Care provide valuable tools and information that help first responders deliver faster, more effective support when it matters most.
Learn more about these programs and their rise in popularity: Boy’s death prompts families to sign up for programs in Albany Co., Colonie – WNYT.com NewsChannel 13
Similar programs include the New York State Visor Card Program and the Blue Envelope Program to support neurodivergent drivers during traffic stops and interactions with law enforcement officers:
Additional Wandering/Vulnerable Persons Safety Programs:
Chester, Orange County – Wandering/Vulnerable Person Registry – Town of Chester, Orange County New York!
Woodbury, Orange County – Safe Me Program | Town of Woodbury Police Department
New Windsor, Orange County – Wandering/Vulnerable Person Registry
New Castle, Westchester – Special Needs Registry | New Castle, NY
New Rochelle, Westchester – Search • New Rochelle, NY • CivicEngage