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South Carolina experts would like to see state pass Silver Alert bill


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By Stacy Jacobsonsrjacobson@sbgtv.comCHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) -- Family members of a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer's often fear that person could walk away or go missing. When they do, law enforcement responds.

"We give it everything we have. We call search and rescue. We call out helicopters. We call out dogs. We do everything humanly possible. We'll put it on the interstate to say they're missing, notify all local agencies and put it in NCIC," said Sgt. Mark Bryant with the Charleston County Sheriff's Office.

Bryant said South Carolina does not have a silver alert system, like one many other states do have.

"It possibly could help but I don't know that more can be done," Bryant said.

But Dr. Jacobo Mintzer called silver alerts "a huge resource." Mintzer sits on the board of the South Carolina Alzheimer's Association and is the director of the Roper St. Francis Clinical Biotechnology Research Institute.

He said he worked with local lawmakers and pushed for a silver alert system, but it hadn't happened. Former Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer also led a push for silver alerts in 2008, but said the bill lost support when the news media opposed it.

"Unfortunately, there are many priorities in the state and many priorities in different areas. And it takes sometimes an unfortunate event to remind us how important it is," Mintzer said.

He thought South Carolina authorities would eventually join peer states. He just didn't know when.

"Local authorities are very aware of the challenges we have with Alzheimer's disease. I would be very surprised if there will not be a renewed interest in thinking about this," he said.

Alethia Ladson, sister of Ronald Myers, an elderly man who went missing in early November, said she and her family would also like to see South Carolina institute a silver alert.State Rep. Wendell Gilliard said Thursday he would support a silver alert bill and would consider proposing one in January.
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