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SBH is aimed at those who have "any disability that involve wandering, routinely falling or becoming unconscious," Police Chief Frank Ramaci, a driving forces behind the program, told Daily Voice.The Safely Back Home logo is being imprinted -- along with the police department phone number and the person's unique ID number -- on three new or existing pieces of clothing belonging to the participant.
Caregivers will also give police a record of of their loved one's medical history, as well as a phrase or saying that the person will recognize.
"If someone wanders they can be helped safely and quickly by the public and the police," said SBH President Paul Jetter, who came up with the idea after his father was diagnosed with dementia in 2010.
Jetter signed a partnership in 2014 with Project Lifesaver, a statewide initiative through sheriffs' offices that gives tracking bracelets to people who routinely wander.
Ramaci and Jetter teamed up after a June presentation for the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association. They made New Milford the fifth municipality to launch Safely Back Home -- along with North Arlington, Garfield, Mahwah and Dumont.
Jetter has scheduled a 7 p.m. presentation on SBH for at-risk residents and their loved ones at Marion Avenue's David E. Owens Middle School on Tues., Oct. 13. The clothing drop-off will be in the school's cafeteria. Clothing pick-up will be in the borough courtroom on Wed., Oct. 21, between 7 and 11 a.m. or 6 and 9 p.m. A drop-off station will be on-site as well.
QUESTIONS / MORE INFO: Paul Jetter (201) 874-4054 or pjetter@safelybackhome.org.
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