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9-1-1 System In Aventura Calls Residents To Ensure Safety

“They need to do something to promote it more because they’d have a lot more people subscribe.”—Mollie Feldman.

By Michael W. Sasser

Cindy Napoles

Contributing Writers 

Neighboring North Miami Beach might utilize the slogan, “The City That Cares,” but an innovative program run by the Aventura Police Department turns the tables on traditional municipal relationships: police representatives actually call residents to make sure they are okay in their homes.

“We were the first city in the state to start such a program,” said Aventura Mayor Jeffrey Perlow.

Dubbed the “R-911” Guardian Program (with the “R” standing for reverse), the service is a computerized telephone calling system used by the police department to provide residents of Aventura (who meet the program qualifications) with the reassurance of knowing that their well-being will be checked on a regular basis.

Mollie Feldman, 93, appreciates the service. The widow of a New York City policeman, Feldman lives alone and trusts the officers. She’s been part of the program since its inception in 1996.

“It’s a marvelous program,” Feldman said. “They’re absolutely wonderful men and women who you start to get familiar with, and then you realize that they are so dedicated to what they do. They call me every day and it’s the greatest feeling.”

Eligible for the program are: any City of Aventura resident who is over the age of 65 and lives alone; any City of Aventura resident who is over the age of 65 and lives with a mentally or physically challenged person; and/or any City of Aventura resident who is physically disabled and requires daily contact to ensure his or her welfare. The R-911 participant must have the ability to punch digits on a telephone keypad. The program is free for participants.

After eligibility has been determined, participants provide police with information on the name of their doctors, what their medical conditions are, the name of a neighbor that can be contacted in case the participant can’t be reached, emergency contact information, the days when the participant wants to be contacted and some other basic data. The system is set up to contact participants on the days requested. For example, if a resident has someone staying with him during the week, he would only be contacted on weekends.

On the days requested by the participant, a computerized telephone system calls the home. The resident must then enter three digits on the telephone keypad to verify he or she is all right. If there is no response, the police dispatcher will attempt to contact the resident. If the dispatcher is unsuccessful, the designated neighbor will be contacted. If all else fails, an officer will be sent to the resident’s home.

Aventura Police Chief Tom Ribel first heard about a similar system at a previous post. “I thought we could do the same thing,” he said. “We were fortunate enough to be able to find out about this type of automated service.”

R-911 cost the city $20,000 when it was launched in 1996. According to Aventura Police Communications Director Tom LaBombarda, there has been a substantial return on investment.

“There have been instances where people have needed medical help or have been on the floor and were not able to reach the phone, units were dispatched and those people were found and given the medical attention they needed,” LaBombarda said.

Daniel Acosta is eyeing the program for his elderly mother, who recently moved in with him. “I travel six months out of the year and she would be alone half the year,” said Acosta.

Acosta said that while his mother’s health is fine at the moment, he worries about her being alone. “There’s nothing seriously wrong with her health, but it would give me great peace of mind to know that the police department is kind of watching out for her,” he said.

The Aventura resident said he only recently heard about the program, and was impressed – and surprised – that something like R-911 exists. “I’ve never heard of a situation where the police call you to see if you are OK,” Acosta said.

Feldman said R-911 certainly gives her peace of mind. “They provide a very wonderful safe feeling and it’s a shame more people don’t know about this program,” she said. “They need to do something to promote it more because they’d have a lot more people subscribe.”

Today, approximately 60 Aventura residents participate. Police say the program is promoted by presentations at new condominium sites and by word of mouth.

“I couldn’t tell you much about the history of the program,” said Perlow. “When things are running well, we don’t hear much about them. When something isn’t working – that’s when we hear all about it.”

In addition to the R-911 Program, the automated system can also act as a hotline. A message can be recorded and phone calls can be made to any geographical area to provide valuable information such as details regarding missing persons and hurricane alerts.

“It’s a great program,” said Leonard Geller, Aventura resident and community activist. “It’s a fine way for the police to stay in touch with residents.”

R-911 Program applications are available at city hall and the police department. For more information, call (305) 466-8999.