Silver Alert
More than 38,000 individuals in New Mexico suffer from Alzheimer ’ s disease or other dementia . Statistics show that about
60 % of these individuals will wander at some time or another . The Albuquerque Police Department and the Department of Senior
Affairs are working together through the Silver Alert program to ensure missing persons with Alzheimer ’ s disease or other dementia are quickly returned to their family or caregiver .
Silver Alert is a public notification system to broadcast information about missing persons who suffer from Alzheimer ’ s disease of other dementias . The system notifies the public of a missing senior using television , radio , electronic billboards , reverse 911 and traffic signs . The public is asked to call a phone number if they see the missing person .
Individuals who are 60 or older and suffer from Alzheimer ’ s disease or other dementia are eligible to register for Silver
Alert . The Department of Senior Affairs will place vital information and a photo of the individual on a USB drive and give the drive to the family member / caregiver who accompanied the person to the
Silver Alert registration . When the family member / caregiver determines that their loved
one is missing , they are asked to call 242-COPS . An officer from the Albuquerque Police Department will come to the residence , or the place from which the person is missing , and initiate an
investigation . If the person is not found immediately , the Silver
Alert will be issued , notifying all media sources of the importance of finding the individual as quickly as possible . The alert will contain a photograph of the person and state their name , description , age , relevant medical conditions , vehicle type if applicable and their last know whereabouts . If you had previously registered your loved one
with Silver Alert , this important information will be on the USB drive in your possession that you already completed with the assistance of the Department of Senior Affairs . At that time , you will turn over the USB drive that contains this vital information to the Albuquerque Police Office working with you .
Registration for Silver Alert is on-going . If you are interested in registering your loved one for Silver Alert , please contact the Department of Senior Affairs at 505-764-6400 .
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