Beatrice Police Department Introduces Two New Community Safety Programs

The Beatrice Police Department has started two new programs that I am excited to tell you about.  We believe that both programs will become very popular as the word gets out.

First, I will discuss our Firearms Safe Storage Program. This program is sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs. The program is designed to give individuals a place to safely store their firearms, free of charge, for a short period of time. 

The program was originally designed for veterans who were experiencing some mental health issues or who simply needed a place to store their firearms. Now, the program is available to anyone.  Families may want to safely store firearms for a variety of reasons, including:

• Traveling away from home on vacation and wanting to store firearms while you’re gone,
• A child in the home is in crisis and is at risk of self-harm,
• Grandkids are visiting for an extended period, and you want firearms secured outside of the home,
• You are listing your home for sale, and a realtor will be showing it to potential buyers,
• A family member, or even yourself, is experiencing mental health or substance use concerns, and
• Many other reasons.

These firearms can be stored at the police department for up to three months, with the option to extend for an additional three months if needed. This service is free of charge and is also available at R&B Arms here in Beatrice. 

To store your firearms at the police department, we recommend you bring them to the department, keep them secured in your vehicle, and then come inside to inquire about the program. 

The second program I would like to highlight is Project Lifesaver. This is a nationwide program that uses wearable technology to quickly locate individuals who have wandered or gone missing. The program was originally designed for individuals with autism who are prone to wandering, but it can also be used for those with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other related cognitive disorders or injuries that increase the risk of wandering. 

Each participant wears a personalized, battery-operated wristband that emits a unique radio frequency signal. If that person goes missing, our trained search team uses specialized equipment to locate them, often in 30 minutes or less.

Clients must have a twenty-four (24) hour caregiver who can check the batteries and immediately notify the Beatrice Police Department if the client wanders. This program gives caregivers peace of mind and ensures a fast, coordinated response when every second counts. 

To enroll or learn more about Project Lifesaver, call the Beatrice Police Department at 402-223-4080 or email me, jmurphy@beatrice.ne.gov, and we will provide you with the information you need. 

Again, we are all very excited about these two programs, and we look forward to serving our community through them. Until next time, stay vigilant and stay safe.

Jay Murphy
Chief of Police