The Nicollet County Sheriff's Office offers a new tracking program to residents.It's a proactive approach to help the disabled and those with special needs.News 12's Jennifer Hudspeth tells us about the departments partnership with an organization called SAFER, and why it could help save lives.Justin Rist is almost five years old, and he knows exactly what he likes to do..."Ride my bike..."But that's not all he does... he also likes to run.Justin has autism and has wandered away from his house on many occasions.Travis Rist says, "He has a tendency to run away and he won't answer his name."But instead of panicking Justin's parents now have the help of SAFER."He'll wear a tracking device on his ankle like this."It weighs only an ounce and can be worn on the ankle or wrist.The device has a radio frequency that can be tracked by the Nicollet County Sheriff's Department.That's because the department is participating in SAFER Rescue, (This is a search for...) a new program helping counties find vulnerable adults and children with special needs if they happen to wander off.Dave Lange says, "We would send out rescue people with the tracking devices we have and try to locate them hopefully a lot sooner than a regular search would entail."Jennifer Hudspeth says, "Today the Nicollet County Sheriff's Department is putting their tracking skills to the test.By using a receiver like this they will try to find SAFER transmitters which have been hidden across town."Mario Cotolezzis says, "Basically today they're finding a needle in a haystack, if they can find a quarter size transmitter in a pile of snow, they are going to find a human being attached to that....(NATS beeping...)so, they're learning how to use the equipment and getting comfortable so when they turn that unit on in an emergency situation they know what to do."A situation they'll be prepared for (NATS Found it...)And for Justin's Dad its help he couldn't be happier to have....Travis Rist says, "No matter which way he goes...we'll be able to find him."In Nicollet County, Jennifer Hudspeth (Cheese...) News 12.The project was funded by a 25 hundred dollar grant from the Schmidt Foundation and by the Sheriff's Department forfeiture dollars.For more information on SAFER you can visit www.safermn.net.