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The recorded call was placed through the Police Department, explaining that there was an emergency situation involving the disappearance of an elderly woman last seen in the Parkwood Drive area.
The call described Powers, and asked residents to check the area surrounding their homes and inside their cars.
“She had about a three-hour jump on us when we first got the call,” said Deputy Chief of Police Paul Nolan.
The emergency-call system was extended to a four-mile radius later in the afternoon.
At around 6 p.m., the Police Department received a call from Quincy’s Houghs Neck Fire Station, at 1082 Sea St., and learned that Powers had arrived to the station looking for help.
She was apparently in good condition but was taken by ambulance to Milton Hospital as a precautionary measure. A report that she had been walking her dog when she became lost was later found to be false.
“We were fortunate that the weather was favorable that day, as she was missing for over eight hours,” added Nolan.
He also commented that she has a history of wandering but her husband had previously been able to find her.
According to next-door neighbor Karen Gregg, of 82 Parkwood Drive, neighbors were not aware that Powers suffers from any memory loss, and she often keeps to herself.
Across the town, residents were impressed with the emergency-call system, even though it did not directly lead to finding Powers.
“People had no idea the police department had that capability,” stated Gregg. “Everyone I spoke with seemed to be very impressed with the system.”
According to Nolan, the reverse-911 system, which is part of the “A Child is Missing” program, was used most recently last Halloween when a 15-year-old girl was missing. It is usually sent out in a one-mile radius, and is intended for use with missing children, but can be helpful in locating elderly residents, as was the case.
“It is very effective for the community, and a nice tool for us to use,” Nolan said.
He added that the “Project Lifesaver” program, run through Norfolk County Sheriff Michael Bellotti’s office and Elder Affairs Officer Wanda Craig, will be following up on the case. That program assists families dealing with Alzheimer’s and other conditions, and often equips tracking devices to patients who tend to wander.