Stafford Police Launch New "Special Needs" Registry

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ - It's not unusual for police or first responders to arrive at a call with little or no idea of the medical needs of the person they have come to help.

So the Stafford Township Police Department has become the first municipality in Ocean County to establish a Special Needs Registry, which will provide them with vital information about people with special needs.

The free, voluntary program is modeled after the Monmouth County Special Needs Registry. It's available to any resident with a special need like autism, wheelchair-bound elderly residents, military residents with post-traumatic stress disorder, diabetics or persons with allergies such as bee stings.

“Information is only released and passed on to a first responder who has a need to know”, stated Stafford Police Chief Thomas Dellane. “Anyone who signs up and has second thoughts can opt out of the registry. We are stressing this because we want the residents of Stafford to understand that this program serves THEM as much as it assists our officers and first responders. Our number one priority is to provide the highest quality of service to our residents. This program provides us with another tool to increase the quality of the service we provide.”

Interested residents are asked to fill out a special needs questionnaire. The police department then flags the resident's name and address in the computer aided dispatch system.

When a 911 call is received from the address, police dispatchers will receive notification that a special needs person may be present at the home. Dispatchers will inform the officer of special needs that may be present.

Special Needs registrants are also provided decals to put on their vehicles if they want them. The presence of a decal on a vehicle will also alert the police officer to the presence of a special needs registrant.

The program is completely confidential, and residents can opt out at any time. The information provided to the Special Needs Registry is restricted to first responders with a need to be aware of the information.

Families who join the registry will be given decals for their cars and homes so that officers can observe the decals upon arriving at a scene.

“It is important for officers to have this information so that any circumstance involving a resident with special needs ends safely,” said Community Policing Officer Chris Fritz, who was instrumental in bringing the program to Stafford Township. “The information is not just for law enforcement; it's for all first-responders, including fire officials and emergency medical personnel”.

Registrants are asked to provide a photo and the specific details pertaining to the person's special need. For example, if a young child with autism is attracted to shiny objects, that information should be noted in the questionnaire, he said.

Certain information such as the registrant’s name, address, general condition and photos are mandatory, but the program also encourages registrants to include any information that they believe would assist emergency responders. The discretion lies with the registrant and/or their caregiver.

Residents can register by visiting http://www.staffordpolice.org/special The special needs registry section is on the homepage. Contact specialneedsregistry@staffordpolice.org with questions.

Image: Stafford Township Police Department