New Senior Safety Initiative launched in OC

South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Kevin Bryant joined Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw at the Walhalla Senior Center Monday morning to launch a new senior safety initiative in the community. “A Knox Box looks similar to what realtors use to show a house but what this is is should a citizen decide that they would like for law enforcement or first responders, if they would like for them to have access to their home they may choose; its totally optional. We have identified some funds with the Office on Aging to provide these for those who would like to have them. How it would be a benefit is if a first responder needs to get in your home and you can’t open the door for them to solve a problem, well if they have to break down your door you’ve got another problem, so this would help them get to you quicker and this would help them get into your home without damaging your door.” Sheriff Crenshaw tells more about the Knox Box Program. “Well, we certainly appreciate the Lt. Governor’s Office and the Council on Aging for their commitment to Oconee County. We’re the second law enforcement agency in the state to take advantage of this grant opportunity. This is basically like a safe on the outside of your home. I’ve seen over the years, one just recently, when we were called to do a welfare check, a senior citizen lived by themselves and didn’t have any family in Oconee County. So, the family outside of the county called for us to go check on them and when we go by either we see them laying on the floor, which we break the door or window out as fast as we can, or we don’t see them anywhere and then we have to figure out a way to get in so we can go in and check on them. Sometimes minutes can make a difference whether someone lives or dies if they need medical attention. So, this is where this box comes in and the only ones that are going to have a key to this are those that are going to help you.” Mt. Pleasant was the first community in the state to receive grant funds for the Knox Box Program. Sheriff Crenshaw tells how to apply for the Knox Box Program. “If someone is interested in obtaining a box they need to call my office at 638-4117 or 638-4118.” Oconee County received a $3,500 grant to fund this voluntary program that allows first responders to easily check on older adults and people with disabilities in case of an emergency.