NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — Responding to a call of a missing child or an adult with dementia is a responsibility that local law enforcement agencies say they undertake on a weekly basis.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, numbers show that in 2022, about 28,000 missing children reports were made to Florida law enforcement agencies.

What You Need To Know

  • Sharewear is a local Port Orange business that creates bracelets that contain any contact information or medical condition details you want to add in case a person goes missing

  • The bracelets come in different colors and sizes, and range in price from $21 to $30 

  • They use digital Near Field Communication technology, which is the same technology used in debit and credit cards for the tap to pay feature

One Port Orange company is hoping to help those agencies by creating bracelets that can help officers and deputies find a person's medical and contact information using a smartphone.

Sharewear Founder and CEO Amanda Anderson said the idea started when she was working as a nurse while doing something on the side with QR codes. 

“My father-in-law fell ill last August. My mother-in-law approached me and she said, 'Hey, you know, you’re doing all this work, can we create some sort of bracelet that has a QR Code on it that leads to his medical information in the event that he has an emergency episode?'” Anderson said.

Anderson said that's what led her to come up with the idea of Sharewear, which she founded in April.

“It’s amazing and feels great to be able to know that we are behind something that has such a powerful impact, and that’s what we’re most proud of,” Anderson said. “So, you know, we really want to be able to reach these individuals in these vulnerable populations, you know, whether it’s children with special needs or even adults with special needs.”

The bracelets come in different colors and sizes, and range in price from $21 to $30. They use digital Near Field Communication  technology, which is the same technology used in debit and credit cards for the tap to pay feature.

It stores essential data that can be accessed by simply tapping the bracelet with a smartphone. Anderson said the data can include personal identification, medical information, emergency contacts, as well as specific instructions tailored to the individual’s needs.

“We have seen a tremendous outpouring of support and just appreciation from the mothers and the special needs community," she said. There’s a real need for something like this. We know in that community resources are scarce. Sometimes they’re on long wait lists. And, you know, a lot of these children are not able to communicate their needs,” Anderson said.

Anderson says the bracelets do not require any batteries or charging, no apps, no downloads and no monthly fees. Since she started Sharewear, she said the company has worked with seven law enforcement agencies, and has donated just under 200 bands to the community.

“The more that we can get this out into the community and educate these first responders, the more powerful the product becomes for those that are wearing it,” Anderson said.

One of the agencies that has received the bracelets is the New Smyrna Beach Police Department. Police Chief Eric Feldman said with Florida being a retirement destination, they often respond to a lot of calls, especially among the most vulnerable and elderly population. 

“We also get called at times because somebody is unable to locate a parent or a loved one or a spouse, potentially because of the onset of dementia and other health factors," Feldman said. "So, as we respond, our job is to simply find the person who is in need of help and return them safely home."

He said for children with autism, adults with Alzheimer’s, or anyone who might struggle with communication, the bracelets allow first responders to access critical information and offer help. 

“So, to us, every one of those calls is extremely important for obvious reasons," Feldman said. "So, this technology will just aid us in our efforts to make sure that we keep our resident safe."

Feldman says officers will distribute the bracelets when they respond to calls on an as-need basis. 

Sharewear will be launching phase two bracelets in the coming weeks. Anderson said they will add an optional upgrade that, if they opt in, will send users an SMS text notification every time the band is tapped and show the approximate location of the device itself when it has been tapped without being an active tracker.

“We’re really proud of that," she said. "Active trackers are going to require batteries or charging. This will allow that location feature without requiring batteries or charging."

On Tuesday evening, the New Smyrna Beach City Commissioners will recognize Sharewear founders Anderson and Lyndsey Allender for their donation of the digital safety bracelets to the New Smyrna Beach Police Department.

For more information about the Shareware bracelets, visit the company's website.