THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
PAGE 8 - May 18, 2011
CCSO Still Has Eight EmSeeQ
Locators Available for Loan
CCSO first in Florida to use tracking system for wanderers
From the Citrus County Sheriff Dept.
Some 5.3 million people in Amer-
es on the market, EmSeeQ appears to be the
ica aged 65 or older have Alzheimer’s dis-
one best suited for Citrus County. Because
ease, and 450,000 of them live in the state
the device doesn t rely on GPS signals from
of Florida. It’s estimated the disease will
satellites, factors such as clouds, buildings
afflict 590,000 Floridians by 2025. In addi-
and tree cover don’t interfere. Also, if the
tion to Alzheimer’s, other cognitive issues,
missing/endangered person gets into a car,
such as dementia and autism, continue to be
taxi or bus and travels many miles away, he
major challenges, as many of these individ-
or she can still be located.
uals are prone to wandering. Sadly, without
The Sheriff s Office conducted
a quick recovery in the case of a wanderer,
numerous tests of the EmSeeQ device
the missing person could die from exposure
throughout the county, and the results were
or other hazards encountered along the way.
all positive. Simulated cases involving a
This is a serious concern not only for the
missing person wearing the device succeed-
individual’s loved ones, but also for law en-
ed in locating the individual quickly and
forcement.
easily.
Looking for a viable method to
After hearing about the test results
Saturday May 14 was the annual National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive across
aid in locating these wanderers, Sheriff Jeff
and discussing the pertinent issues, Sheriff
America. Carriers themselves carry the extra burden of this program bringing in all the dona-
Dawsy challenged his staff to come up with
Dawsy approved the EmFinders program.
tions with the mail while delivering on their routes. Pictured with only a part of the dona-
a solution. After careful research, the Citrus
The agency s Citizens Academy Alumni
tions are Inglis carriers Brandi Tylar-Cribbs, Marian Matchette, Cindy O’Steen and Inglis Post-
County Sheriff s Office found EmFinders,
Association offered to purchase the first 10
al Clerks Ruth Ruppert and Freda Gibson. In 2010 carriers collected a record 77 million
the makers of a unique device called Em-
units at no cost to the Sheriff s Office. (This
pounds of food nationwide to support the hungry. The food drive began in 1993 and has
SeeQ (pronounced “Em seek”). Essentially,
also saves the caregiver from having to buy
accounted for more than a billion pounds of food over the years collected for those less
it’s a small electronic locator device worn
an EmSeeQ device.) The alumni associa-
fortunate. A total of 10,000 post offices in all 50 states participate in this annual project.
on the wrist. This watch-sized device has
tion raised the money through a silent auc-
The food was distributed among all the churches and veteran’s organizations in both towns
a secure band, which makes it virtually im-
tion, plus donations from the Citrus County
helping stock food closets with many bare shelves due to the economy. A special thanks to
possible for the wearer to remove.
Senior Foundation and several other private
the postal employees but a greater thanks to the generosity of postal customers in the Inglis
Our Pub
If a person goes missing, the Em-
donors.
and Yankeetown area. Newscaster photo by Sally Price.
Finders emergency call center is notified by
The Sheriff s Office now has the
the caregiver and the device is electronically
ability to loan these devices to people in the
activated. The device then automatically
community who are prone to wandering.
calls the nearest Public Safety Answering
The caregiver or family simply signs up
Restaurant, Lounge
Point (PSAP, or 911 center), providing them
for a one-year contract through EmFinders,
& Package Store
with a location of the wearer based on co-
which costs approximately $25 a month.
ordinates provided by Uplink-Time Differ-
Once the sign-up is complete, the device is
ence of Arrival. U-TDOA is a method of
issued by the agency, and the caregiver is
253 Hwy 40 W. • Inglis, FL
calculating a position using highly sensi-
trained in its use. When there is no longer
tive receivers located on cellular towers –
a need for the device, the family returns it
1/4 mile west of Hwy. 19
the same receivers used by cell phones for
to the Sheriff s Office to be reissued to the
In a Hurry? Call Ahead (352) 447-2406
911 calls. Once the PSAP gets the location
next person in need.
Open M,W,Th 11a-12mid, F-S til 1am • Closed Tues.
information, emergency responders are dis-
The Sheriff s Office is excited
Everything Made to Order
patched.
about this community partnership and the
The benefits of using this system
ability to offer such a valuable program to
integrated with 911 are substantial. Care-
citizens. The effects of Alzheimer’s disease
Fresh-Made Salads: Antipasta, Chicken, Chef & Shrimp
givers will have additional peace of mind
and dementia are sad and difficult enough,
knowing that their loved one can be located
but having something like this may allow
Specials, Homemade Soups, Chowders & Chili
nationwide. Those who wear the device
those afflicted and their loved ones to feel
will be able to maintain their independence
more secure. Who knows how many lives
Steaks & Seafood Pasta Dishes with Homemade Sauces
and participate in daily activities. The Sher-
may be saved?
Hand-Pressed Hamburgers Cooked Your Way
iff s Office will potentially save valuable
For more information or to sign
resources by dispatching officers to specific
up for an EmSeeQ device, please visit the
Wings, Subs & Clubs
locations, and not incurring multi-hour ex-
CCSO website at www.sheriffcitrus.org
pansive searches.
and click on the link, or contact Sgt. Chris
Pizza, Calzones & Oven-Baked
While there are several such devic-
Evan either at 352-527-3701.
Subs after 4 pm
Buddy & Fred's Hardware
Saturday: Prime Rib after 4 pm
42 Hwy 19 N. - Inglis,FL - 352-447-2600 Est. 1983
May Special - Select Case Knives
Special Drinks Made to Order
Captains Cove Outfitters
Computers dot Com
Jeff Harris, Plant Manager
39 W. Highway 40 − Inglis, Florida
King Road Mine
50 Wyland, Certified Professional Technician
(352) 447-5610, 283-0492 or 283-0493
#24 Highway 40 East
Tim
www.CaptainsCoveOutfitters.com
Inglis, FL
Bait • Ice • Tackle
Computer Sales & Service
352-447-2074
Kayak Rentals/Instruction
Electronics Parts & Accessories
www.kingroadmine.com
Clean Family Friendly Atmosphere
We Recycle Computers!
All Rods & Reels New w/Mfg. Warranty
INVESTING IN THE F UTURE OF LEVY COUNTY
(352)489-4153 • Plaza of Dunnellon • Next to CVS Pharmacy
21 lbs. of ICE FREE w/purchase of 100 Shrimp!