Community Corner
Warren Township Police Recognize Autism Awareness Month
"Chief William Keane started this initiative in 2021 and we've had nothing but positive feedback from it."
Press release from the Warren Township Police Department:
April 21, 2023
The Warren Township Police Department will once again be recognizing Autism Awareness Month for April 2023. Throughout the month, officers will be wearing special edition patrol hats depicting the Warren Township Police Autism patch, as well as matching magnets affixed to all patrol vehicles.
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On Wednesday, April 5, 2023, officers had the opportunity to meet the residents of Mt. Bethel Village at their Day Program located at 67 Mountain Blvd. Warren, NJ. Officers were given a tour of the facility, specifically their new sensory room, by the residents who then presented the department with sensory device kits for each patrol vehicle to utilize, if needed, when encountering an individual with autism.
Mt. Bethel Village Day Program Director Bridget Garland stated “ These devices can be extremely helpful to calm down someone with autism who may be initially frightened or disoriented when dealing with the police in all types of scenarios.”
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Mt. Bethel Village Administrative Director Kelly Campbell added, “We have had such wonderful interactions with the Warren PD at Mt. Bethel Village. When they are dispatched to our building, they treat our residents with nothing but patience, kindness, and respect.”
DSG. Ron Roselli said “ This will be our third year bringing Autism Awareness to our residents, and we feel it’s especially important since Warren Township is home to various facilities and schools that regularly interact with this community. Chief William Keane started this initiative in 2021 and we’ve had nothing but positive feedback from it. Throughout April and beyond, officers will be conducting random walkthroughs at Mt. Bethel Village and the Morris Union Jointure Commission Developmental Learning Center in an effort to build a comfortable relationship with the residents and students, outside our normal course of duties. A special thank you this year to the Directors and Staff at Mt. Bethel Village for donating the sensory device kits that I’m sure will come in handy for our officers. Additionally, we encourage people to visit our website, https://www.warrenpolice.com/ or https://www.autismhc.org/ to donate to the Autism Healthcare Collaborative located in Warren Township.”
This press release was produced by the Warren Township Police Department. The views expressed here are the author's own.
