New Program Helps Officers Aid Children, Adults With Special Needs

A new program through the Oak Creek Police Department and school district aims to keep children and adults with special needs safe.

Officials have developed a "special needs alert form" that allow police officers to more quickly help a child or adult with special needs. The form provides officers a picture of the person and information such as emergency contacts, nature of disability and identifying marks.

The program was put in motion a few months ago after an incident in which a child with special needs got out of his house and was found on a busy Oak Creek street.

An elementary school teacher happened to be driving by and got him back safely to his parents, who hadn't yet realized he was gone. But it showed that a better system should be in place for incidents like that one, said Lisa Reid, a school district psychologist who is one of the organizers of the program.

"You can be a wonderful parent and have everything covered, but ... in a big house, a kid can get out," Reid said.

Many kids with special needs, especially autism, have difficulty communicating. So if police get a 911 call with no one talking, or are going into the home of such a child, the forms could help officers handle the situation, Reid said.

Officials are starting local but hope to get other law enforcement agencies involved and spread the program as wide as possible.

"We're pretty excited about it. We think it's going to be successful," Reid said.

Reid said it's not just for children with special needs, but also adults, particularly those who may be suffering from Alzheimer's.

Parents whose children might not be considered special needs but who would benefit from the program can submit a form as well. The forms are completely optional for parents, who can determine if it would benefit their child.

As part of the program's launch, an open house for kids and their parents will be held at 6 p.m. April 26 at the , 301 W. Ryan Road.

In addition to an overview of the program, the open house will include a tour of the police department, a meet-and-greet with officers and activities for kids.

An event will also be held at 6 p.m. April 25 at the police station for parents, school personnel and police officers to discuss the program.