The Eden Prairie Police Department is obtaining tracking equipment that works with the SAFER program, which offers locater devices for adults and children with special needs who tend to wander from caregivers, according to a news release.

The nonprofit provides the tracking equipment and training. “SAFER also has an emergency response team that responds to calls to assist local first responders in searching for missing children or adults on the SAFER program,” according to a news release. The program also offers support groups.

“With many assisted living facilities housing vulnerable adults as well as numerous families with special needs in the city of Eden Prairie, the Police Department felt that this was an important step to take to ensure the prompt and safe return of any of these special needs people who would happen to wander away from their caregivers,” according to a news release.

Mario Cortolezzis of Waconia founded SAFER after searching for and finding his young autistic son near Lake Waconia in 2005. Information: www.safermn.net.

Click here for a link to a previous story about SAFER, developed by a Waconia resident: http://www.chanvillager.com/news/public-safety/safer-way-keep-tabs-peopl....