The Quebec government launched its Alerte SILVER pilot project on Tuesday, which will make it possible to find people living with a major neurocognitive disorder who have disappeared more quickly in order to “avoid tragedies”.
“We will never be too benevolent for people living with major neurocognitive disorders or for seniors, who are at greater risk of suffering from them. This additional tool will make it possible, at very specific times, to alert the population to keep an eye out to find people in potential distress,” said Marguerite Blais, Minister responsible for Seniors and Caregivers.
These alerts, which will be triggered by the Sûreté du Québec depending on the seriousness of the situation, must meet very specific criteria. The messages will be broadcast simultaneously in French and English.
“Alert notifications will only occur on cellular devices in a specific geographic area where a person is missing. They will be limited as much as possible to the area where the public can advantageously be involved, ”said the government.
This pilot project will be deployed from September for a period of one year, in three MRCs: Joliette, Vallée-de-l’Or and Drummond.
The name SILVER refers to the hair color of elders, but also means Information System to Locate Vulnerable, Lost and Wanted People.
