FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com NOVEMBER 7, 2013 • The Queens Courier 19 SCHUMER CALLS FOR TRACKING DEVICES FOR AUTISTIC KIDS BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] It’s been more than a month since Avonte Oquendo was last seen leaving his Long Island City school. Now, one politician is calling for a program that could help prevent another child from going missing. Avonte, 14, was last seen at the Center Boulevard School at 1-50 51st Avenue around 12:38 p.m. on Friday, October 4. There have been conflicting reports on how the Rego Park teen, who cannot verbally communicate and is supposed to be supervised at all times, managed to leave the school, said the family’s attorney, David Perecman. To stop another child like Avonte from going missing, on Monday, November 4, Senator Charles Schumer called for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to both create and fund a program which would provide voluntary tracking devices for children with autism or other developmental disorders. The program would only include children whose parents choose to use the devices and would be designed for children with disorders in which bolting, running or wandering is common. “The sights and sounds of cities, schools and other busy places can be over-stimulating and distracting for children and teens with autism, often leading to wandering as a way to escape,” said Schumer. “Voluntary tracking devices will help our teachers and parents in the event that the child runs away and, God forbid, goes missing.” The tracking devices could be used as non-tampering wristwatches, anklets, or can be clipped onto belt loops or shoelaces. When the child or teen goes missing, either the caregiver, parent or school notifies the device company and then a trained emergency team responds to the location. A tracking device program like this already exists in Massachusetts. One kind of device, made by Project Lifesaver, averages a recovery time of 30 minutes. Schumer called on the DOJ to award funds to local law enforcement agencies or organizations that would provide tracking devices for children with autism. The DOJ has already awarded competitive grants to such organization that aide in finding missing people with Alzheimer’s. “Funding this program will help put school systems and parents of children and teens with autism at ease knowing where their children are,” said Schumer. According to reports, last week a teenage boy posted on his Facebook page a photo of who he believed resembled Avonte riding an F train. The image showed the side view of a boy sitting down wearing a tan jacket, green pants, and staring straight ahead. The teen reportedly said he asked the boy if he PHOTO COURTESY/NYPD was Avonte and received no answer. Police reportedly located the pictured boy the next day and confirmed it was not the missing autistic teen. Since Avonte went missing, the reward to find him has increased to $95,000. He was last seen wearing a gray striped shirt, black jeans and black sneakers. He is 5’3” tall and weighs 125 pounds. Anyone with info in regards to this incident is asked to call Crime stoppers at 800-577-TIPS. “Voluntary tracking devices will help our teachers and parents in the event that the child runs away and, God forbid, goes missing.” Senator Charles Schumer Whitestone Community Health and Wellness Fair Sponsored by Grace Episcopal, First Presbyterian & Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Whitestone. SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2013 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM First Presbyterian Church of Whitestone 15-43 149 Street, Whitestone, NY 718-746-7858 or www.whitestonehealth.org FREE and open to the public! Lunch will be provided. ESTATE PLANNING AND ELDER LAW UPDATE With Ann Margaret Carrozza, Esq., 11AM to Noon We are also pleased to partner with the Office of Emergency Management, Rite Aid, St. Paul’s School of Nursing, Whitestone Ambulance, Wellcare, United Adult Ministries and Baybridge Optical to offer health screenings and important information to help you live healthy in mind, body and spirit. *CHAIR YOGA AND MEDITATION INSTRUCTION **FLU AND PNEUMONIA SHOTS AND PREVENTION BLOOD SUGAR AND BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING HEALTHY FOOD AND COOKING TIPS DELICIOUS SMOOTHIE SAMPLES WOMEN’S HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES FREE EYE EXAM APPOINTMENTS PHARMACIST ON SITE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDICATIONS *Please call ahead to reserve a space in the Yoga class. Space is limited. **Cost of flu and pneumonia shots covered by your insurance or at a cost of $29.99 for the flu shot or $79.99 for the Pneumovax shot. Five Towns College You’re Invited to our Open House Saturday November 9 at 1 pm • Learn about our De gree Programs • Speak with Car eer Services about Pr ofessional Internships • Discuss Scholar ship Oppor tunities with Financial Aid Repr esentatives • Presentations & Demonstr ations in our Pr ofessional Studios • Meet our Aw ard-Winning Faculty • A U D I O R E C O R D I N G T E C H N O L O G Y • B R O A D C A S T I N G • B U S I N E S S • E L E M E N T A R Y T E A C H E R E D U C A T I O N • F I L M / V I D E O • J O U R N A L I S M • M A S S C O M M U N I C A T I O N • M U S I C T E A C H E R E D U C A T I O N • M U S I C B U S I N E S S • M U S I C P E R F O R M A N C E • T H E A T R E A R T S 631.656.2110 305 N. Service Road Dix Hills, NY 117 46 [email protected] www.ftc.edu
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