Jackson Free Press

Keeping our parents and grandparents safe is the goal of a Mississippi House bill creating a Silver Alert system. The system, based on Amber Alerts for children, will allow family members to report an elderly missing person quickly, ensuring that law enforcement gets into action before an older person runs into trouble.

Lawmakers sent the Silver Alert legislation to Gov. Haley Barbour for his signature late last week. The bill, H.B. 664, sponsored by Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, recognizes that elderly people with dementia and other cognitive impairments often wander away from home and are unable to find their way back. Currently in Mississippi, family members must wait 24 hours before reporting a missing person, leaving the older person vulnerable to inclement weather and other dangers. The bill waives that waiting period.

Previous Comments

ID

156744

Comment

This is a good thing. We have lost several elderly people over the last year or so.

Author

justjess

Date

2010-03-16T09:56:42-06:00

ID

156751

Comment

Good law. For whatever reason though, the Silver Alert is reminding me of the Big Daddy's gold and silver alert commercials.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2010-03-16T11:36:47-06:00

ID

156758

Comment

In tandem with this legislation, there is also a program that is in operation in the state called Project Lifesaver. This program is for people with Downs, Autism, Alzheimer's - all those who are vulnerable to "wandering," and they are fitted with a bracelet that emits a specific radio frequency. When alerted, local law enforcement, as well as Metro One Aerial Law Enforcement, are trained on how to track the individual by the unique radio frequency from the bracelet. The Hinds/Madison program started in June of last year. Those in need should contact the Hinds County Sheriff's Office, the Madison Police Department, or the Madison County Sheriff's Office.

Author

Krystal

Date

2010-03-16T13:26:29-06:00