Being a senior citizen and living alone can be a dangerous combination. So the Madera County Sheriff's Office found a way to respond to an emergency without being called.
It's called "MC Alert." Senior citizens can register their name, number, and address with the Sheriff’s.
Twice a day they’ll receive an automated call asking to press 1 if everything is okay, or two if it’s not.
If a vacation hold isn’t placed and consecutive calls aren't answered, a volunteer from “Citizens on Patrol” will do a welfare check. Should they require assistance, a Sheriff’s deputy will follow.
Terrible instances of seniors dying alone motivated to Sheriff's Office to develop the program. Lack of funds forced them to be creative.
Tech-savy staff and deputies developed the software themselves. Total cost to tax payers is ten cents less than a dime.
TXT 24
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