The San Diego County Sheriff's Department announced it is launching a pilot program that will closely monitor medically at-risk individuals with a health monitoring device.
Under the pilot program, a device will be consensually placed on 10 individuals deemed medically vulnerable to monitor their vitals. According to sheriff's deputies, the device will alert deputies and medical staff when there is a change in the condition of the person’s health.
“We hope this pilot program proves effective in supporting our existing security and wellness checks and other monitoring programs. It will not replace any of our current policies,” the sheriff’s department wrote in a statement.
4Sight Labs created the devices and will provide them to the department for $1,000 each. According to the sheriff’s department, the devices work similarly to commercial fitness devices that monitor heart rates.
“Unlike commercial technology, devices used in a custodial setting must be tamper-proof and designed in a manner that does not pose any security risks to the individual, staff, and the facility,” the department said.
The agency said it has been working to build the infrastructure, policies, and best practices over a few months.
“We hope this pilot program proves effective in supporting our existing security and wellness checks and other monitoring programs. It will not replace any of our current policies,” the department wrote in a statement.
It remains unclear when the pilot program will launch, or how long it will run.
