The Bellevue Police Department received a $15,000 donation on Wednesday from the Boeing Corporation to enhance the Project LifeSaver program.
Bellevue Police spokesman Roger Cox says the money will be used by Sarpy County law enforcement agencies to purchase new equipment for the program.
It provides law enforcement, fire and rescue, other first responders and caregivers with equipment and training to locate and rescue individuals with cognitive disorders, like Alzheimers, Autism and Down Syndrome.
It gives families signed up for the program peace of mind in case their loved one wanders off. A small bracelet can be worn on a wrist or ankle and each one has its own radio frequency that can be tracked by receivers in the hands of first responders. It makes a ping sound as searchers get close to the missing person.
In the ten years since the county began using the technology, Cox says they've successfully used it three times to find a missing person. In addition to the Sarpy County Sheriff's Department, the equipment is used by Bellevue, Papillion and La Vista Police.
Cox says they will use the money to purchase new equipment, including an infrared camera that can be used with a drone to enhance their searches at night. In Sarpy County there are 56 families utilizing this technology.