Innovative Tracking Technology Launched for Vulnerable Populations in Los Angeles
On October 15, 2025, Jordan Nichole Wall, 27, of Chatsworth, showcased her newly acquired GPS watch, a device aimed at enhancing the safety of individuals prone to wandering. Her mother, Mary Brown, emphasized the watch’s pivotal role in monitoring her daughter during an event hosted by L.A. Found at Gloria Molina Grand Park, Los Angeles.
The event resonated with Kirk Moody, whose wife, Nancy Paulikas, afflicted with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, disappeared during a visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 2016. Despite extensive searches, she was found deceased two years later in Sherman Oaks, miles from the museum.
Enhanced Safety Measures through Technology
During the press event, Moody poignantly reflected, “It took 26 months to learn we would not find her alive. She had passed.” This commemoration coincided with the unveiling of advancements in tracking technology unavailable nine years ago.
The L.A. Found initiative, in collaboration with county agencies, aims to provide state-of-the-art devices for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, or other cognitive impairments.
Located at Olive Court in Gloria Molina Grand Park, the event highlighted the rollout of Theora Care Smartwatch.
This GPS-enabled wrist device facilitates real-time location tracking and notifies caregivers via an app if the wearer strays beyond a designated safe zone. In addition, it features an SOS button for immediate assistance.
Distribution and Impact of Smartwatches
- The county has distributed several dozen of these smartwatches free of charge.
- The devices aid law enforcement in narrowing search areas effectively.
- They complement the Project Lifesaver bracelet program, enhancing the tracking capabilities of first responders.
- To date, over 1,800 bracelets have been allocated since the inception of L.A. Found in 2018.
L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Commander Geff Deedrick noted a significant shift from traditional search methods to this innovative technology, significantly reducing the area that first responders must cover.
He commented, “By having this technology, we have found individuals with autism who tend to head toward water, allowing us to intervene quickly and prevent potential drownings.”
Demographic Concerns and Statistics
In Los Angeles County, more than 190,000 seniors are afflicted with Alzheimer’s or dementia. In addition, one in 22 children in California is diagnosed with autism. Kate Movius, L.A.
Found Task Force member and founder of Autism Interaction Solutions emphasized the growing mortality rate among missing individuals with autism, sharing her personal experience when her son went missing at age 14.
“About 91% of wandering deaths for individuals with autism result from drowning,” Movius stated gravely.
Personal Testimonials on Wandering and Safety
For Jordan Nichole Wall, her propensity to wander poses daily challenges. Her mother recounted a moment at Santa Monica beach, where Jordan vanished amid a gathering of family.
“We could have located her much faster had we had access to such a device,” Brown lamented, proudly displaying the smartwatch that signifies a new layer of security.
Similarly, Janet Rivera, who cares for her mother and son, expressed relief upon receiving the smartwatch.
“As I age, I find it increasingly difficult to chase after them,” Rivera remarked, highlighting the sense of peace made possible by modern tracking solutions.
Source link: Mercurynews.com.
