Thursday, Apr. 17, 2008

Chamber project to help find lost tourists

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is teaming with a group to help protect tourists with autism, Down syndrome and Alzheimers disease who may get lost or wander off.

The chamber is using Project Lifesaver, a program that keeps track of people via wristbands that emit radio signals. It will provide five wristbands free to visitors.

A Project Lifesaver team can search for a missing person using a mobile tracking system. Last year, Horry County Public Safety became the first in the state to be certified through the program. Thirty people use bracelets in the county.

The chamber will advertise the program in publications that target parents of autistic children to try to entice them to choose Myrtle Beach for their vacations.