GPS Tracking Bill Passed in Florida

Watch Video

Approximately 60 percent of people who are on the autism spectrum or who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are estimated to wander off, making for a very frightening situation for loved ones. Those who wander off are at risk of serious injury or worse, but it looks like Floridians who are have family members who are living with autism or Alzheimer’s could be getting help in the near future.A bill was recently passed by the Senate that will provide those who wander off with GPS tracking devices.

According to Senator Charlie Dean (R-Inverness), this bill is the starting point for a program that intends to assist in locating and saving those who have special needs and wander off.

The program, which is already underway in Tallahassee, Florida’s capital city, has proven to be effective.

According to Debbie Moroney, who runs the Alzheimer’s Project, a non-profit organization in Tallahassee, 85 bracelets are already being used and there is a waiting list for more. The Alzheimer’s Project works in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Office, who monitors the GPS bracelets when they are alerted that someone has gone missing.

Moroney noted that as soon as a family member realizes that a family member with Alzheimer’s or autism is missing, they can call the Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Department responds with hast, monitoring the GPS device for that individual. Thanks to the devices, an individual who has gone missing can be quickly located.

The non-profit organization covers the cost of the trackers for families. The trackers cost about $300 to purchase and an additional $100 per year to maintain. The bill that was passed by the Senate provides $200,000 to cover the initial cost of the trackers and their maintenance for a total of seven counties in North and South Florida.

Moroney pointed out that half of the patients that the Alzheimer’s Project works with are children. She stated that it is not unusual for children to be drawn to water, which means that there is always a concern for drowning when they wander off.

Thanks to the bill passed by the Senate, the loved ones of those who are on the autism spectrum and who are living with Alzheimer’s disease will be able to have increased peace of mind.

You Are Here: LiveViewGPS Blog » GPS Tracking Bill Passed in Florida