L.O.S.T. Program

On April 6, 2020, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is launching its new L.O.S.T program. L.O.S.T (Loved Ones Stay Together) is a FREE Law Enforcement proactive initiative to assist Officers in locating and identifying persons suffering from Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Autism or any other medical conditions which could result in them becoming lost or wandering. All information provided to PCSO becomes the property of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The L.O.S.T program is a computer database that contains information about the person such as;

• Name
• Address
• Physical description
• Birth date
• Photograph
• Any additional helpful information

Options to receive the L.O.S.T packet

1. You may request the L.O.S.T application form to be emailed to you and sent back to the Community Relations Division. Contact email is communityrelations@polkcountyiowa.gov

2. Completed forms can also be mailed to:
Polk County Sheriff Office Headquarters
c/o L.O.S.T Program
6023 NE 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50313

** Applications must include a photo of the individual who may become lost**

Participation in L.O.S.T

The information provided on the registration form will be entered into a database at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. We require a recent photograph to be included with the registration, and this will also be entered into our database.

When PCSO is notified of a missing person due to a medical condition, a Law Enforcement report may be initiated. The following may occur:

• The information provide on the registration form, plus the photograph may be immediately transmitted to officers on the street via their in car computers.
• This information may be distributed to local media outlets.

Please note that if a loved one becomes lost or missing, you must contact the appropriate Law Enforcement Agency to complete a missing person report.

Additionally, Officers will be equipped with the below attached cards to hand out for members of our community who may be impacted by this program.

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