How the Program Works
This is a voluntary program where the community can sign a dependent or loved one up online for the Safe Return program. Thus providing
Law Enforcement access to data with pertinent information during critical times. The goal is to promote communication and to give
field personnel immediate access to needed information about the individual (if enrolled), saving time and perhaps promoting accuracy
and awareness of the individual during the contact.
The Safe Return Program provides Law Enforcement with emergency contact information, detailed physical descriptions, physical address,
a photograph of the individual, known routines, favorite attractions, and/or special needs of the individual. This information can assist
Law Enforcement when contact is made in communicating with, locating a residence for, or handling an emergency involving an individual with
special needs that could be missing. This information can be disseminated to all field units as helpful broadcast information.
Areas of Coverage
This program is currently offered to residents under the Sheriff’s Department’s jurisdiction. This program covers the following
cities and unincorporated areas.
Apple Valley, Barstow/Trona, Big Bear, Big Bear Lake, Central (unincorporated San Bernardino), Chino Hills, Colorado River, Fontana,
Grand Terrace, Hesperia, Highland, Loma Linda, Morongo Basin, Needles, Rancho Cucamonga, Twentynine Palms, Twin Peaks, Victor Valley,
Victorville, Yucaipa, and Yucca Valley.
How to Sign Up
In order to enroll a loved one, you will first need to register yourself with an email address. Once you have an account you can add a
participant to the program.
How to Enroll Your Loved One
Once you have created an account, you can enroll a participating loved one. When enrolling your loved one, please take the time to be
thorough and to provide a good photo. You will not be able to enroll the individual without the pertinent information and a photograph.
Please review our enrollment tutorial for additional help on how to enroll someone.
Please ensure the photo of the person you are enrolling is:
- Current or updated
- Portrait-type (close-up of face)
- Contains single person
- Not dark; it has good lighting / colors
- Not turned or rotated sideways
Once enrolled, please make sure to keep your user name and logon information to provide updated information regularly with recent photos,
conditions, and/or physical description changes. If you are not able to enroll online, you may bring the information into your
local Sheriff station for assistance.
How to Remove Someone
If for any reason you would like to remove someone from the system, please fill out the Removal Request form. This form is ONLY to be used
to remove someone who is possibly in the system that you did not enter as a participant.
To remove someone you entered into the system, please log in and navigate to the “My Participant List” page. Then use the
“Delete Participant” link next to the participant you want to remove from your list.
How Law Enforcement Use the System
Law Enforcement can use this system when he or she comes in contact with an individual that appears to have special needs and/or is not able
to communicate. And there may not be a missing person's report on them yet. The field unit can search participants within the proximity
of the contact, using geolocation technology, to find information on where the individual may reside, a contact person, a photograph
and additional information such as calming techniques, or communication ideas to make the person’s experience pleasant and to get him
or her returned home in a timely and safe manner.
Currently, the system is being used by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Our goal is to make the system accessible by all
Law Enforcement within San Bernardino County.
Should you have any questions about the program, please feel free to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department, Public Affairs
Division at 909-387-3700.