ICPD seeking federal funding to protect vulnerable people

IOWA CITY - The Iowa City Police Department is seeking federal funding to be used to protect vulnerable people who are prone to wandering.

The Iowa City Council has given the department permission to apply for a $25,029 a Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The police department is jointly seeking the grant with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office and, if approved, will receive 52 percent of the funding.

Capt. Doug Hart said Iowa City's portion of the funding would be used to protect people who are prone to wandering, such as those suffering from Alzheimer's or autism. There are a number of models across the country, but Hart prefers one that would entail training a group of officers and supervisors who would in turn provide education to the at-risk populations and their loved ones. Additional funding would be allocated to purchasing and maintaining GPS or electronic devices for those who couldn't afford them.

'The goal is really to reduce risk of injury or worse for those persons in our community,” Hart said.

Hart said he didn't have statistics available on the number of missing persons the department has responded to that involved a vulnerable person. But, it does happen, he said.

'It does happen with negative consequences at times,” he said.

Hart said he's received encouragement from Alzheimer's and autism organizations who have said they were unaware of any other funding streams for this type of training. The grant does not require any local match. Hart said he will complete the application this week.

Hart said the sheriff's office - which is not required to use their portion of the funding in a similar manner - will use their grant money to replace six automated external defibrillators.