NEWBURYPORT — Marshal Matthew Simons is pleased to share that the Newburyport Police Department will be displaying special patches in recognition of Autism Acceptance Month and has launched a new Autism Awareness Program.
The Autism Awareness Program is a Newburyport Police initiative that allows community members to voluntarily identify individuals or family members with Autism Spectrum Disorder who live, work, or go to school in the community. The program features an online form for individuals and family members to submit important contact and identifying information to be added to the department’s database. The information can be used by officers when responding to calls, locating missing individuals, or during other emergency incidents.
The form is sent directly to program coordinator Officer Charles Ferlauto, and residents with questions about the program are encouraged to contact him at cferlauto@newburyportpolice.com.
In support of the new program and Autism Acceptance Month, which is recognized in April, the Newburyport Police Department is partnering with the Doug Flutie Foundation to raise money by selling limited edition patches. The goal of this initiative is to bring acceptance and awareness for all families and individuals with autism through education, support, and collaboration.
The patches are available for purchase for $10 each through the Flutie Foundation here. Sgt. Megan Tierney coordinated the fundraising efforts with the Flutie Foundation and helped design the limited edition patch.
The Flutie Foundation provides critical, responsive, and innovative programming and services that answer the everyday challenges of keeping people with Autism safe and included in their communities.
“Our new Autism Awareness Program will allow our officers to better assist and respond to incidents involving those on the autism spectrum and be able to support them in those moments by creating long-lasting relationships,” said Marshal Simons. “As we participate in Autism Acceptance Month in support of our community we also encourage residents to also participate in this initiative. Newburyport Police is committed to the safety of all residents and these new initiatives will help strengthen our relationship with our community through continued collaboration.”
###