Rep. Giegler Applauds “Silver Alert” System

HARTFORD—Rep. Janice Giegler last week voted for an alert system designed to help find senior citizens and disabled adults who go missing.

The bill creating a “Silver Alert” system received unanimous approval. The Senate had already approved the legislation, which now goes to the governor for signature.
Finding adults with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other diagnosed mental disabilities if they wander away or disappear is the system’s goal.

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

“Time is of the essence in these cases, when people wander away from their caregivers or family members,” said Giegler, who represents Danbury and New Fairfield.

“We need to give state and local police every advantage when it comes to finding the most vulnerable people among us,” she said.  

More than a dozen states have Silver Alert programs and legislatures in several other states have them under consideration.