GREENBELT, Md. (7News) — When a loved one goes missing, the first questions police officers ask friends and family are the basics: the person’s name, birthday, description, medical conditions, and more.
A new safety initiative in Greenbelt, Maryland, is hoping to save those extra minutes when time is of the essence during an emergency.
The Greenbelt Police Department recently launched the Greenbelt Guardian Program. Anyone who lives within city limits can voluntarily register themselves or a loved one.
RELATED | Fauquier County deputies uses radio bracelet program to find vulnerable missing people
It’s designed for people who may struggle communicating with people or might be at risk of wandering or getting lost. Police said that includes individuals with autism, Alzheimer’s or dementia, cognitive disabilities, mental health conditions, and non-verbal individuals.
Guardian Program website. (Greenbelt Police Department)
“For officers, it puts them in a better position right from the start instead of trying to figure things out in a stressful moment,” Officer Kendall Graham said. “If we have this information already, instead of gathering it right then and there, we can focus on finding them or relocating them to their families.”
Graham, who created the program, says it only takes two minutes to sign up through their registration form, found here.
“I created this for us as officers so we can be proactive, and I think it’s important to note that the families can be proactive as well. Take the necessary steps so it can help us hopefully one day; I hope that we never have to use the program, but if we have to use it, we’ll be prepared,” Graham added.
Several D.C.-area law enforcement agencies are part of a similar program known as Project Lifesaver. To see the complete list, click here.
Local Story
