ASSEMBLY PANEL CLEARS PLAN TO MAKE NJ ELEVENTH STATE WITH ‘SILVER ALERT’ SYSTEM FOR MISSING ELDERLY

(TRENTON) -- A plan to make New Jersey the eleventh state with a “Silver Alert” system to notify the public about missing elderly people was released Monday by an Assembly committee.

The plan is based on the “Amber Alert” system used by state police to locate missing children. The measure is sponsored by Assembly members Sandi Love, Wayne DeAngelo, Caridad ‘Cary’ Rodriquez, Paul Moriarty, and Pamela R. Lampitt.

“This offers a quick way to alert the public and law enforcement about missing senior citizens, and time is often of the essence in these situations, so we should do anything we can to help hastily distribute information,” said Love (D-Gloucester).

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 60 percent of those with dementia will wander at some point. Under the legislation (A-2844/2907/277), the emergency alert plan would be a voluntary, cooperative effort between state and local law enforcement agencies and the broadcast media.

Upon notice by the state police, broadcast media would transmit an emergency alert to inform the public of the disappearance of an elderly person.

“Unfortunately, it’s common for an elderly loved one suffering from dementia and other ailments to wander,” said DeAngelo (D-Hamilton). “This can be dangerous and even life-threatening for our loved ones and stressful for caregivers and family. This new system would be a common sense step toward protecting those who deserve our best, the elderly.”

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, New Jersey would join Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia with “Silver Alert” systems.

“If other states can protect their seniors like this, then so should New Jersey,” said Lampitt (D-Camden).

The bill proposes broadcasting the alerts as often as possible for the first three hours. After the initial three hours, the alert would be rebroadcast at intervals deemed appropriate by the investigating authority, state police and the participating media. The alerts would include a description of the person and how people with information relating to the missing person can contact law enforcement.

 “Information is key in cases like this, as is time,” said Rodriguez (D-Hudson). “A simple message like this can help avoid a tragedy.”

The lawmakers said the legislation takes on even more importance as Baby Boomers age.

“Statistics show at least half of those with dementia who wander away suffer serious injury or death if not found within 24 hours,” said Moriarty. “That’s reason enough to get this into law.”

The Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee released the bill by a 4-0 vote with two abstentions. It now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.