Farmers Weekly Review

By Karen Haave
A new program underway in Monee will make it easier for the police department to locate senior citizens and those with cognitive challenges when they go missing.
AngelSense is a Global Positioning System especially designed for those who may be autistic, or suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, Down Syndrome or other cognitive diseases.
The device is a sleek and comfortable watch worn daily, and provides advanced GPS tracking for accurate location on a live map. It gives, for example, immediate alerts for late arrivals, those who are in unfamiliar places, or have gone wandering.
The watch features an assistive speakerphone with two-way voice communication, as well as an SOS button so that the wearer can contact family with one click.
MPD officials began researching the program at the insistence of Monee Village Trustee Elizabeth Rakis, before her untimely death last July.
“The Monee Police Department has been studying and testing these types of devices for the last few months and believes AngelSense has the most options and is most suitable for our community,” said her son, Chuck.
“MPD is purchasing some of these devices and will make them available to any family in need. We will buy the device and the first year of the cellular locating subscription to help them get set up, and more importantly to give them peace of mind. MPD will also assist the families in acquiring grant monies to supplement future subscriptions.
“If this device is something that will help you and your loved ones when you become separated, contact MPD, and we will get you all set up.
“I am very proud to introduce this important program to our community. This program was one of the very important initiatives that my mother wanted to accomplish. Working together with the PD, she established the guidelines and criteria to make sure AngelSense would be available for ‘her people’.
“Before she passed away, she made the Chief promise to get this program off the ground.”
Monee Police Chief Scott Koerner had high praise for the program.
“AngelSense is an excellent GPS tracking tool for families of those with cognizant disabilities.,” he said. “This allows the family to know where their loved one is at all times, or when needed. It is a peace of mind.
“Trustee Liz Rakis asked me if there was anything the police department should be doing to make things safer for our seniors.
“We came up with the AngelSense device. I knew some other agencies were looking into the same kind of program, so we made some inquiries and took it from there. Liz was at my door every couple of weeks wanting a progress report. She wanted this for ‘her people,’ and she wasn’t going to let it slip through the cracks. I told her we would test it out and then present it to the board.”
Typical of the former trustee, she told Koerner not to worry about the cost.
“She said cost was not an issue. If the board wouldn’t support it, she would pay for the program. That wasn’t a problem. We included it in our budget request and Liz got it unanimously approved,” he said.
“We just publicly announced the program and have been putting it out on social media. We are also going to be attending some local meetings to explain the program. We have had some inquiries and expect to have our first subscriber very soon.
“We pay for the equipment and the first year’s subscription. The subscription ranges from $35-$55 per month. We are also looking into some public grants that could help subscribers after the first year.
“If anyone has questions or is interested in this program, call the PD during the day at 708-534-8308. We will set up an appointment and get you up and running.
If you are curious about the program, go to angelsense.com. Their website illustrates all the benefits of having a device for your family member.
“The entire village administration and village board is proud to participate in such a notable program, a program that is in existence, because the late Trustee Liz Rakis was not going to let it be overlooked,” Koerner said.
“My only regret, personally, is that we didn’t get it off the ground and running before she passed away. She would have been so excited. I know her family is elated that we are carrying on with one of her many dreams.
“We can never match her passion, but we can carry on her legacy by being compassionate.”
Karen Haave is a freelance reporter.