Friday, April 22, 2016

Sheriff introduces Alzheimer's registry at Alliance meeting


Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw led the April meeting of the Alliance of Delray Residential Associations at the South County Civic Center in Delray Beach.

"Automobiles with push-button engine starters and shut downs are dangerous," he said. "In the past year 25 to 30 cars have not been shut off when owners leave them, usually in a closed garage. The resulting carbon-monoxide fumes cannot be detected, resulting in fatalities."

"To remind you to shut the motor off we are distributing a triangular-shaped sticker you can post inside the home entry door from your garage to alert you to turn your car engine off. The sticker says: Did you turn the car off?"

Bradshaw said his department has developed an app for cell phones and iPads that lets residents alert PBSO if they see something suspicious. The app will be monitored by the Homeland Security office.

"The sheriff's department is the central intelligence gathering agency working to make your life more secure," he said.

State Attorney Dave Aronberg spoke of the Elder Abuse Task Force that has been created to foster greater coordination between all agencies concerned with elder abuse.

PBSO District 4 Capt. Richard DiBerardino introduced other staffers who reported that between July 1 to December 31, 2015, 408 scams by caregivers were reported in the county.

Lt. Ray Jimenez introduced a new registry program District 4 will be assembling with the cooperation of residents. They want to have the names and addresses, photos and vital statistics of people who have dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease throughout the county.

"Five million Americans are victims of this disease," he said. "The state of Florida counts 600,000 victims. We are partnering with the Alzheimer's Community Care organization. Alzheimer's sufferers sometimes walk away from their caretakers. If we have this vital information to broadcast to every deputy on patrol quickly it can save that missing person's life. Statistics show after 24 hours from the time the person is reported missing, the chances of finding the person unhurt are reduced 50 percent.

If they are not found within 72 hours, it is reduced to 75 percent."

"We have a high number of Alzheimer's victims in our area," said Alliance of Delray president Bob Schulbaum. "This program will save lives when they are registered."

Detective John Wikse warned about burglars.

"Use a dead bolt on the doors of your home," he said. "Use your alarm system. Ask for ID from people you hire. Have extra exterior lighting outside your home and use an interior light on a timer that goes on automatically when you are away. My final tip, don't use any freelance auto repair crew that approaches you in a parking lot telling you they will fix a dent in your car cheaply."

Two undercover deputies and their two money-sniffing dogs demonstrated the dogs' keen sense of smell.

They have recovered over $20 million in illicitly acquired money in the county, said one of the undercover deputies.

"They have paid their cost many times over," he said.

"This was an informative meeting," said Audrey Eisenstein, of Delray Beach." It was interesting to learn they spent money on dogs and got so much value in return. They should buy more dogs to find drugs and money."

President of the International Club in Delray Beach Sanford Geiger said the presentation about the Alzheimer's registry was encouraging.

"This is an excellent step forward for our area," he said.

Full Article & Source:
Sheriff introduces Alzheimer's registry at Alliance meeting

1 comment:

Leslie said...

I don't know if a registry is good or not. It seems like a good idea, but what if the crooks get access?