CLAY COUNTY, Fl. – Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook on Monday unveiled the new Clay Watch Registry, which allows families of those who are prone to wandering to provide crucial information to law enforcement easily.
The Clay Watch Registry is completely voluntary and is designed to help families and caretakers of those with conditions including Alzheimer’s, autism, dementia, and Down syndrome, among others. Any information shared with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office will be kept private and it will only be accessed when needed. If law enforcement has information about these people ahead of time, they can respond more swiftly if there is an emergency. They can also save a life.
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According to a release from CCSO, this program also includes the Elder Watch initiative, which provides information and support for elderly residents who are homebound.
If you have a loved one who is or may be prone to wandering, you know every second counts. That’s why Cook is set to announce the launch of the Clay Registry to give law enforcement firsthand knowledge about the person with cognitive or sensory disabilities.
This way, deputies can better interact and communicate with your loved ones -- with the ultimate goal of reuniting everyone.
During the registration process, you’ll provide the person’s name and address, identifying features, and their diagnosed condition.
Then you’ll need to lay out the person’s characteristics, including certain behaviors, sensory issues, calming strategies, or past encounters with the police.
From there, you’ll share the best method for making contact with the person. This can include special words, pictures or electronic devices.
Cook emphasized that there are instances where individuals may struggle to identify themselves or provide their home address, making the Clay Watch Registry an invaluable resource for law enforcement officers.
MORE: Click here to view the registration PDF
You can complete the online registration form or download and print the form for submission in person at the Middleburg Substation, located at 3799 Irvin Court.
According to the sheriff’s office website, families or caretakers who sign up for the registry will be given a special decal to go on or near their front door. And if you’d like, you can get another one to go on a car.
For more information about the program, you can call Lieutenant Mike Layne at 904-213-6177.
If this story sounds familiar, the city of Jacksonville launched its version of the registry last year known as REVAMP Duval. When a loved one goes missing, time is of the essence.
