- Appointment of a Liaison: Community Relations Bureau Sergeant Joseph Steigele has been designated as the liaison between the police department and Autism Communities. He will ensure that officers engage with our residents, starting with a meet-and-greet when a new resident moves into their new home.
- Regular Check-Ins: Officers will conduct periodic scheduled check-ins throughout the year. This will help to develop better relationships between our residents and emergency responders.
- Smart 9-1-1 Profile: Residents are encouraged and will be guided to create a Smart 9-1-1 profile, which provide emergency responders with critical information about the caller. For example, this may include sensitivities to flashing lights, sirens, or loud voices, enabling responders to tailor their approach accordingly.
- Training & Relationship Building: While officers receive crisis intervention training, specific information about individuals can further reduce stress in emergency situations.
Additionally, Doreen Jaggs, Autism Communities Chairwoman, stated that "this is our next step towards inspiring inclusive community environments which support the well-being and success of our residents. Community partnerships, such as this, is what will truly enable us to achieve our enduring vision: To Inspire a World Built Without Barriers."
Special thanks to the Suffolk County Police Department for their partnership in the Friend Responders campaign. This truly is a beneficial and important initiative and we urge other emergency responder agencies to join by contacting Autism Communities.
By working together, we can create safer, more inclusive communities for everyone!
If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, please CONTACT US!
