Press release [Aug. 30, 2004]

8-2077-5235

House Information Office Room 505, Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, Georgia 30334 404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800

August 30, 2004

REPRESENTATIVE STANLEY-TURNER HOPES TO MAKE PROJECT

LIFESAVER A STATEWIDE PROGRAM
Atlanta State Representative LaNett Stanley-Turner, D-Atlanta, met on Wednesday, August 17th at the State Capitol Building with interested parties to encourage a statewide Project Lifesaver Program. This effort began after Mrs. Mattie Moore, an Atlanta resident and Alzheimer's patient, wandered away from her home on April 21, 2004. Mrs. Moore, at this point, has not been found.

Project Lifesaver relies on pulse-carrier wave radio-frequency technology, complemented by a search and rescue team that has received special training. People who use the services of the Project Lifesaver program wear a personalized wristband that emits a constant tracking signal. When care givers notify the local Project Lifesaver agency which is housed within the local law enforcement agency, that the person is missing, a search and rescue team responds to the wanderer's area and starts with the mobile locator tracking system. Search times have been reduced from hours and days to minutes. This program has had a 100 percent success rate nationally.

Currently, Project Lifesaver is being used with much success in Fayette County. Fayette County Sheriff's Office made the presentation to Representative Stanley-Turner and others present representing Atlanta City Council, Fayette County Sheriff's Office, Georgia Emergency Management, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Sheriff's Association and the Mattie Moore Foundation. Project Lifesaver is an active approach to a growing national problem. Project Lifesaver provides peace of mind to care givers, families and communities, and is a sure way to turn potential tragedies into safe and happy homecomings.

Representative Stanley-Turner says that this technology and program is very much needed throughout our state. "I personally know of the great value this program will be to me having an 87 year old mother with alzheimers who has wandered off in the past. Likewise, this program will help thousands of families across our state. And with the growing number of baby boomers who are getting older and living longer, this program will help many for years to come." Stanley-Turner said. The City of Atlanta Police Department has applied for the money to start-up a Project Lifesaver Program.

At the same time, Representative Stanley-Turner is working in concert with Councilwoman Felicia Moore who has introduced the Mattie's Call legislation in the Atlanta City Council which is to be patterned after the Amber Alert. Representative Stanley-Turner is committed to helping make Mattie's Call a statewide effort and has pulled together important players who are mentioned earlier in the Broadcaster's Association and Congressional delegates on the state level to make this call a reality. On an as needed basis, legislation will be formulated on the state level to help remedy the obstacles of making Mattie's Call a statewide and eventually a national initiative.

As a result of the previous meeting with state officials, Representative Stanley-Turner will be recommending an informative outreach system similar to "A Child is Missing Program", whereby which local businesses, residents and others within an approximate 2 mile radius of a missing Alzheimer patients last sighting will be notified immediately upon their disappearance.

This is part of the easily accessed information that the Mattie Moore Foundation wants to have in place for families of people missing with disabilities.
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For further information please contact Rep. Stanley Turner at 404-656-5024.