By Rosalind Russell – The Anishinabek Police Service has launched a new Vulnerable Persons Registry (VPR) aimed at improving the safety of vulnerable persons who, due to a medical or physical condition, may be prone to wandering, bolting, or getting lost.
Research shows that dementia is associated with an 18x greater prevalence of recent critical wandering and nearly half of the children with autism spectrum disorders attempt to elope at least once after the age of four, often seeking out small/enclosed spaces or places of special interest to them, which puts them at greater risk of injury or death.
By registering a loved one with the new VPR before a crisis, parents and/or caregivers can provide critical information about a vulnerable individual such as any history of wandering or getting lost, locations where the vulnerable person has previously been located, and more.
The goal of the VPR is to have those vital details including photographs and health records readily available to APS to help expedite a missing person investigation and pave the way for a positive outcome.
A vulnerable person can be registered by a parent, guardian, caregiver or someone with Power of Attorney (or similar authority).
The VPR is free, voluntary, and confidential.
Visit https://www.anishinabekpolice.ca/staying-safe/vpr on the Anishinabek Police Service website to learn more, find answers to frequently asked questions, and to register your loved one.
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