Walton County Sheriff's Office Programs Protect Vulnerable Residents
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is spotlighting two programs — Project Lifesaver and the SAFE Program — that help families protect loved ones with dementia, autism, and other special needs, and Freeport residents can enroll in both.
Lt. Tabitha Lecuyer, who leads the programs, discussed how they work and how families can get involved during a recent appearance on WJHG’s NewsChannel 7 Today. The sheriff’s office provides law enforcement services across Walton County, including Freeport, and both programs are open to county residents of any age.
Project Lifesaver serves families caring for individuals at risk of wandering, including people living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, autism, or other cognitive conditions. Participants wear a small radio-frequency transmitter, about the size of a watch, on the wrist or ankle. If a participant goes missing, caregivers call 911, and deputies respond with specialized tracking equipment that can locate the transmitter on the ground or from the air. Searches that once took hours or days can now take minutes — the program reports a 100% success rate nationwide and began in 1999 with a Virginia search-and-rescue organization.
The SAFE Program, newly launched by the sheriff’s office, is designed for residents who may need special assistance during an emergency or non-emergency situation. Families complete a Resident Support Form for each household member with special physical, behavioral, or psychological needs, listing details like communication methods, possible triggers, and calming strategies. Once verified, the information is entered into a database: any call involving that address or vehicle triggers an alert giving responding deputies and fire crews a description of the person who may need special care. Enrolled households also receive a custom decal for vehicles or home windows to flag first responders.
Enrollment in Project Lifesaver is available by emailing [email protected]. SAFE Program information and forms are available by calling the sheriff’s office at (850) 892-8111 or emailing [email protected], with staff contacting participating families within three business days.
Originally reported by WJHG. Program details from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Project Lifesaver and SAFE Program pages. Image: WJHG.
