BEXLEY, Ohio (WCMH) — The Bexley Police Department started a new program to help keep older residents in the city even safer.  

Called Bexley Safe at Home, the department started it about two weeks ago. 

“At this age, you never know if you’re going to be the one alone and even if you have people locally, they’re not close enough as if the fire and police department would be,” Lin Duren said.  

Duren has lived in Bexley for more than 40 years. She’s considering taking part in the program and hopes some of her neighbors do too. 

“As a resident and an elderly one, I think it’s a very good thing,” Duren said. “Just in our block alone, we have four or five people now that are living alone and not young anymore, two of them don’t have any relatives that live in the area. I would hope they would take advantage of it, especially some that live immediately near us have had some major medical issues lately.” 

Bexley Safe at Home is free for elderly and homebound residents. If residents sign up, they will get a daily phone call. They then need to pick up and follow the simple message instructions to let the system know they are OK. They don’t need to talk, just press a few buttons, according to Bexley Police Lt. Dawn Overly. 

“I know with my elderly parents, having that piece of mind that someone is checking in on them daily means a lot to me,” Overly said. 

If those in the program don’t pick up, an officer will be sent for a well-being check. Overly said Westerville also offers this and has success stories of finding people who needed medical help. 

“I hope this is a long-standing service we provide, I hope to see a large turnout of enrollments and that if we have to go out to a home, we go out to a home and we’re there in time to save somebody,” Overly said.   

She said about 14% of the city’s population is elderly. 

Overly expects family members will enroll their loved ones who live in town. Those who want to enroll can register here.  

Anyone with questions can call the BPD non-emergency number at 614-559-4444.  

If someone enrolls in the program but knows they will not be home at the time of their call, they should call 614-559-4444 to let BPD know.