APD News

Silver Alert ~ A New City Initiative to Help Find Alzheimer's Patients Who Go Missing

The Albuquerque Police Department, the Department of Senior Affairs and the Alzheimer's Association, New Mexico chapter are launching a new program designed to help find missing people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

The program, Silver Alert, is a public notification system that will broadcast information about missing persons who suffer from Alzheimer's disease or dementia. In the event someone goes missing, the Albuquerque Police Department will utilize a variety of media outlets including: television, radio, electronic billboards, social media and reverse 911 to alert the public.

The city is also providing free computer jump drives to caregivers of people who suffer from Alzheimer's or dementia. These jump drives will contain the loved one's information and photograph so if they go missing they can give the device to the responding officers and their information will quickly go out to the media.

On February 14, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mayor Richard J. Berry is inviting caregivers and people who suffer from Alzheimer's or dementia to come to the Barelas Senior Center, 714 Seventh Street SW to pick up a computer jump drive. Representatives from the city's Department of Senior Affairs and the Police Department will assist caregivers in putting information on the jump drive. They will also take a photograph of the loved one. The Police Department will also be hosting a workshop for senior citizens on how they can protect themselves against crime.

The Silver Alert program is a collaborative effort amongst the Police Department, the city's Department of Senior Affairs and the Alzheimer's Association, New Mexico Chapter.

For more information about the program and the event, you can call 311 or visit cabq.gov/silveralert.

Posted: February 03, 2012