Three Police Departments Internet hosting Occasions To Promote Secure Interplay Between Police And Autistic People
April 2nd was World Autism Awareness Day and the entire month of April is Autism Awareness Month. To raise awareness of autism in their local communities and prepare police officers and autistic individuals to interact safely during a traffic obstruction, three different police departments have organized the following activities and events.
Douglas County, Nevada
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office recently unveiled a new vehicle with special decals to help raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Autism Detection Alert Program in the community. The Autism Recognition Alert Program enables first responders to identify individuals with special needs when they come in contact with them. Through this program, the sheriff’s office is better equipped to help people with disabilities.
The program has a database that families can use to register their family members who may need help. Once registered, individuals will receive ID cards that they can present during a police encounter. With this program, the Sheriff’s Office aims to take a proactive approach with people on the autism spectrum, their family members and caregivers, while increasing police officers’ awareness and responses to autistic people and promoting early detection and de-escalation during a stop.
City of Elgin, Illinois
In order to raise awareness of what is expected of teenagers with autism during a traffic obstruction, the Elgin Police, in collaboration with The Autism Hero Project, are hosting the event “Heroes Unite to Raise Awareness” on April 10, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sharpening Autism ”. Through interactive demonstrations of traffic stops, young adults with autism can learn what is expected of them and how to deal with the police at such stops. This event also features activities for children, a sensory area, and various resources for families.
Teenagers with autism who are run over are a primary concern of parents. It is not easy to react to stressful situations, and even a slight gesture by the teen can give the police the wrong impression, which makes the situation even more tense. These types of consciousness events can bring comfort to parents and adolescents.
This event will be held at the Elgin Police Department at 151 Douglas Avenue in Elgin.
Gloucester Parish, New Jersey
As part of World Autism Awareness Day, the Gloucester Township Police Department unveiled a new walkway labeled “Support Neurodiversity” in front of their building. In addition, a new seat belt cover was introduced, which can be used to identify a person with autism and alert police officers to traffic stops and accidents. The seat belt notifies the officer that the person may be unresponsive or even aware that they are in danger and may oppose assistance.
Do your local police or other departments have events to raise awareness of autism in your communities? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: South Tahoe Now, Chicago Tribune, ABC 6
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