Police In The Caldwells Prepare To Respond To Those With Special Needs

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — Across the country, children and adults with special needs have gotten shot or killed during tense situations in which police were called for help, including a 13-year-old boy on the autism spectrum who was shot in Salt Lake City in 2020.

In West Caldwell, the police are setting up a voluntary database in order to be proactive. They say it will be useful not only when police respond to calls, but also if someone with a special need (such as dementia) is missing.

On Facebook, the department said, "The information contained on the form assists our officers by giving them advanced medical and behavioral information allowing them to be prepared before they enter a residence and interact with an individual with special needs."

Completed forms can be submitted to the via email at communityservices@westcaldwellpd.com or dropped off at Police Headquarters, 21 Clinton Road. They also have a Google Form that can be completed using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/5bfxxcsv

If you have any questions or need to clarify any information, please contact Cpl. Steven Huster at 973-226-4114.