My name is Tracy Valdez, and I am a resident of Citrus County, Florida. I've started this petition because I am deeply invested in the well-being of families in our community, especially those with members who have autism or dementia.

Project Life Savers is a renowned program that has transformed lives in many communities across the nation, providing life-saving technology and support to families that need it the most. The program equips participants with a personalized bracelet that emits a unique tracking signal. If a participant goes missing, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office can use specialized technology to track the signal and locate the individual quickly, significantly reducing search times and ensuring safe recoveries.

In Citrus County, we have a significant population of individuals living with autism and dementia. Parents and caregivers are constantly worried about the safety of their loved ones. The sad reality is that individuals with these conditions are prone to wandering, and this can lead to dangerous situations. According to the Alzheimer's Association, over 60% of those with dementia will wander at some point. Similarly, statistics from Autism Speaks indicate that nearly half of children with autism are prone to wandering. And are attracted to water.

Currently, our county lacks a reliable, efficient system to locate these individuals swiftly in the event they go missing. This gap in our safety net can result in tragic outcomes. With Project Life Savers, we can provide our families not only with peace of mind but also effective tools for the protection of their loved ones.

Neighboring counties like Hillsborough Sumter and Pinellas have already adopted this program, showing great success and strong community support. Implementing Project Life Savers in Citrus County means leveraging proven methods to safeguard our vulnerable community members.

I urge the Citrus County Sheriff's Department to prioritize the implementation of Project Life Savers. By investing in this program, we affirm our commitment to the safety, security, and well-being of all our residents.

Please sign this petition to make Project Life Savers a reality in Citrus County. Together, we can ensure that our community is a safer, more secure place for everyone.