NJ Town To Employ 'Care Trak' To Locate Mental Health Patients Prone To Wandering
MAHWAH, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A north Jersey town is getting ready to roll out a way to keep tabs on any autistic or Alzheimer's patients who are prone to wander off.
As WCBS-880's Levon Putney reported, it looks just like a watch.
"It's Care Trak, designed to track autistic and special needs children," Mahwah Police Chief James Batelli said.
Police are talking with parents of autistic kids next week, after officers tested the pieces on Thursday.
NJ Town To Employ 'Care Trak' To Locate Mental Health Patients Prone To Wandering
"The device works off a radio transmitter. It allows us to track anybody who's wearing it within any 5 mile distance in a very short period of time," Batelli explained.
It comes with an average find time of 30 minutes.
Chief Batelli said 800 agencies use it nationwide. It is also being used in south Jersey.
"We're looking at introducing it and allowing some neighboring towns to participate in this program. It's that important to us," he said.
Authorities are also planning to make it available for patients with dementia.
