15-05-2025
New Jersey lawmakers push for Silver Alert notifications on mobile devices
TRENTON, N.J. – State lawmakers are working on a bill to protect those who can't protect themselves.
Many of us are familiar with the notifications we get on our phones in the event of an Amber Alert—usually accompanied by a long, drawn-out audio and haptic notification. Lawmakers here envision the same thing for Silver Alerts.
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'That individual needs our help immediately,' said Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-NJ 20th District). 'Not two days later, but immediately… We must protect all our members of our families – young and old.'
A Silver Alert goes out in the event of a missing person who is believed to be suffering from Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other cognitive impairment, regardless of age, and is believed to be in danger.
Silver Alerts are often seen on highway message boards and on social media, but aren't automatically sent to the masses like Amber Alerts. New legislation from Quijano looks to change that.
'As we all age and our parents are aging, I think individuals are now grappling with 'what do you do?' and this is one answer to that question,' said Quijano.
Republican Assemblyman Antwan McClellan voted to advance the bill in Thursday's Public Safety and Preparedness Committee.
'Time is crucial so you never know — especially if somebody has dementia — if it's cold, you don't know how they left the house and what elements they're walking into,' said McClellan (R-NJ 1st District). 'We want to make sure that we get to them before they cause any physical harm to themselves.'
'Within the first 24 hours statistically, most people are found safely,' said Ken Zaentz, President and CEO of Alzheimer's New Jersey. 'But in the second 24 hours, about 50 percent of those who have wandered, when they are found, they've succumbed.'
Zaentz says at least 60 percent of people with Alzheimer's will wander at some point, oftentimes out of confusion, frustration, or fear.
'Maybe they're looking for a place that was familiar, like a place they used to live,' said Zaentz, 'or if they worked nearby they could be traveling towards that workplace.'
The bill advanced through the committee on Thursday.
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