News Summary
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is launching the Care Track program to improve search efforts for individuals with cognitive disabilities who go missing. This technology aims to reduce search times significantly, offering critical support to families. With tracking devices operating within a two-mile radius, the initiative ensures quick recoveries, enhancing safety for vulnerable populations. Families can enroll loved ones for free, enabling rapid response in emergencies. The program is particularly vital for those suffering from conditions like dementia, as highlighted by participants who have benefited from its implementation.
Jacksonville, Florida – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) is implementing advanced tracking technology to enhance its search efforts for individuals with cognitive disabilities who go missing. This program aims to significantly reduce the time it takes to locate vulnerable loved ones, with the potential to save lives in critical situations.
Searching for missing individuals, especially those who are cognitively impaired, can be a daunting task that takes precious hours or even days. With the introduction of the Care Track program, the average search time has been notably decreased, providing immediate support to families in distress.
Mack Bronner, a participant in the Care Track program, has shared how the technology has been vital for his wife, who suffers from dementia and frequently wanders off. Before their enrollment in the program, Bronner was often left fearing for her safety when she went missing. Fortunately, the use of the tracker has enabled quick recoveries, and his wife has been found safely multiple times.
According to Sergeant Michael Monts from JSO’s Missing Persons Unit, searches without the aid of a tracker can extend anywhere from two hours to several days. In contrast, the Care Track program has a record search time of only two hours. This advancement in technology has prompted families to take action and enroll their loved ones in the program to ensure their safety.
The Care Track program is offered at no cost to eligible individuals with cognitive disabilities prone to wandering, which includes both adults and children. The trackers operate on traditional radio frequency technology and can be detected within a two-mile radius. The signal emitted by the tracker increases in volume as responders approach the missing person, allowing for quick location identification.
A practical demonstration highlighted the effectiveness of this technology; a test conducted by Action News Jax successfully located a hidden individual within ten minutes using the tracking device. Quick response times are critical in missing persons cases, underscoring the importance of the Care Track program in safeguarding vulnerable citizens.
Families wishing to enroll their loved ones can register with the Duval County R.E.V.A.M.P. registry, which facilitates participation in the Care Track program. The JSO’s Missing Persons Unit reports handling a significant number of cases each year, with 3,388 cases reported in 2023, leaving only one case still open. The unit comprises various missing persons scenarios, including runaways and those with mental disabilities.
JSO is also addressing cold cases, with 75 unresolved incidents dating back to the 1960s. The office provides free scent preservation kits for families of individuals with memory impairments, enabling trained K-9s to assist in locating missing persons.
It is essential for families to know that they do not have to wait 48 hours to report a missing person; immediate reporting is encouraged as it could spark leads to locate missing individuals. Increasing community awareness and information sharing can further assist JSO in these efforts.
The R.E.V.A.M.P. Duval Registry ensures that critical information about individuals vulnerable to wandering is quickly shared with first responders, enhancing their effectiveness during search operations. Family members of those living outside Jacksonville are urged to inquire about similar services from their local law enforcement agencies.
With the growing number of missing person cases, the JSO’s innovative use of tracking technology represents a significant leap forward in ensuring the safety of individuals with cognitive disabilities, reaffirming the community’s commitment to their protection.
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Additional Resources
- Action News Jax: JSO Tracker Program
- First Coast News: What to Do When Someone Goes Missing
- Jacksonville.com: Eldersource Partners with JSO
- CBS Sports: NFL Coach GM Interview Tracker
- Wikipedia: Missing Person
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
