Rigby Supports “Silver Alert” System for Seniors, Others

HARTFORD—Rep. John Rigby pledged his support for an alert system that would to help find senior citizens and disabled adults who go missing.

A bill creating a Silver Alert system received unanimous approval in the state’s House of Representatives recently. The senate had already approved the legislation, which now goes to Gov. M. Jodi Rell for her signature. More than a dozen states have Silver Alert systems. Others are considering them.

The system’s goal is finding adults with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other diagnosed mental disabilities if they wander away or disappear.

It’s modeled after the Amber Alert system used to build publicity about missing children. Components include broadcasting emergency messages on radio stations.

“For families, there aren’t many situations scarier than when a loved one wanders away or just plain disappears,” said Rigby, a member of the legislature’s Human Services Committee.

“Law enforcement agencies should have every too available when it comes to finding the most vulnerable among us—whether it’s children or adults who need help caring for themselves,” he said.