Milan police train to track, recover people who wander away

MILAN, Tenn. — The Milan Police Department received new technology they said will save money and possibly lives. The tracking tool helps find people who wander away.

Officers trained with the new technology on Friday.

Milan Police Chief Bobby Sellers said the device helps investigators locate Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, or autistic children, who could get lost. “Allows that police officer to get within a certain area,” he said.

Police said the patient wears a bracelet that sends off a radio frequency. The receiver beeps, directing police which direction to go.

“As they get closer to the transmitter and hopefully to the person that’s wearing it, that chirp gets louder and they’re able to zero right in on it,” Paul Ballance, a trainer for Project Lifesaver International, said.

Sellers said they typically have two or three people disappear like this every year. He said those searches cost thousands of dollars and that he believes this tool will save money and lives.

“Nationwide, there’s 1,400 to 1,500 law enforcement agencies using this device, and the average search and recovery time is about 30 minutes,” Sellers said.

The department said a $5,000 federal grant paid for the technology.

People can purchase a bracelet for $250 if they are worried about their loved one wandering away. If you are interested in participating, call the Milan Police Department at 731-686-3309.