The Dartmouth Friends of the Elderly has funded the purchase of Project Lifesaver bracelets and equipment for both seniors and the Dartmouth Police Department.

Project Lifesaver bracelets are similar to having a GPS device on a person's wrist while public safety officers have the tracking devices that allow them to locate the bracelets. The program is administered by the Bristol County Sheriff's Office and supported by public safety officers across the county.

"The safety of our elders is our top priority," said Maria Connor, President of the Dartmouth Friends of the Elderly. "Any project that can increase and ensure the safety of seniors, we're in."

More than 100 people across Bristol County are currently wearing Project Lifesaver bracelets. Most are seniors with dementia or children with disabilities that cause them to wander out of the house. The technology has been used to locate people in less than 30 minutes.

Every community in Bristol County has first responders who are trained in how to use the search equipment to locate a missing person. The program is administered by Sheriff's Offices across the country, so even if a person goes on vacation the system is still effective.

The tracking equipment purchased by the Friends will be kept with Dartmouth Police Officer Scott Affonce, who works closely with seniors in town and the Sheriff's Office on Project Lifesaver. He and fellow DPD Officer Justin Fonseca are on a regional search and rescue task force team that incorporates Project Lifesaver training.

"All local police departments have the same equipment," Officer Affonce said. "I think this will definitely have a big impact on public safety for Dartmouth seniors."

The bracelets and equipment purchased by the Friends is valued at around $4,000. Like all Project Lifesaver technology, it was purchased through the Sheriff's Office at cost.

Any Dartmouth seniors interested in Project Lifesaver can contact the Council on Aging at (508) 999-4717 or Lt. Pimental at the Sheriff's Office at (508) 995-6400 ext. 2180.

"We're so fortunate in this town that our Friends of the Elderly group is 100 percent supportive of Dartmouth seniors," COA Director Amy DePeitro said.

Connor added that the Friends advisory board unanimously approved of the Project Lifesaver donation and she was thrilled to continue working with local public safety.

"We all have the same objective, the same goal, and that's the safety of all Dartmouth's seniors," she said. "The COA has been working with the Alzheimer's Association to make the town a Dementia-Friendly Community, and this is one way we can help get there."