The North Bay Police Board is going ahead with a new partnership with Project Lifesaver.
The program which is used in other parts of Ontario was brought to the Police Board in December by the local BAYSAR search and rescue organization who will cover a large portion of the cost to run the program.
The unique technology will allow the Police Service to help track "at-risk" individuals who are prone to the life-threatening behaviour of wandering.
"Today the board gave support to Project Lifesaver which is important so BAYSAR can move forward and as a partner agency with the North Bay Police Service approach Project Lifesaver and seek permission to enter into the Lifesaver program," said Chief Scott Tod after Tuesday's Police Board meeting.
"The program offers us the ability to quickly, using the least amount of resources search for individuals in our community who have a frequency monitor on them so we can track them and locate them only when they have gone missing so it really is an opportunity for the police service to take advantage of technology and also the community partners we have to find lost and missing persons in the community."
See related: Police looking at new tracking technology for at risk individuals
Project Lifesaver would supply three tracking devices along with 24 transmitter wrist/ankle bands.
BAYSAR officials stated back in December that they would start a fundraising campaign to raise $22,000 to offset some of the costs for families of the vulnerable individuals.
The North Bay Police Service would only need to pay a one-time $1000 USD fee to get on board.
"We could cut what would be hours down to minutes when we are looking for people who are registered and part of the Project Lifesaver program," said Tod.
