By CariSue Flores
Silver City Sun-News
SILVER CITY, N.M. — The Silver City Police Department and the Grant County Autism Resource Center came together last week to put on a program that allowed local police officers and children diagnosed with autism, down syndrome, traumatic brain injuries and cerebral palsy to get to know each other.
The program — Red Alert and Autism Training — was designed to teach local law enforcement the physical signs, similarities and differences of children who live with such conditions and injuries in order to give officers a better view on how to interact with them and help if someone gets lost or is in trouble, according to Maria Izquierdo, the family coordinator for ARC. Along with hanging out with the children, officers also participated in training sessions that focused on communication and awareness.
“We want to make sure (police officers) know how the children communicate, their behaviors, how they may react to you,” said Izquierdo. “Most of these children will not be able to talk, tell you their name or even who their parents are.”
It was all in preparation for the new Red Alert system that the Police Department is implementing, which will store emergency information — including names, diagnoses and contact numbers — that officers can access in case of an emergency involving a child with autism or down syndrome.
“The Red Alert system will help our department know specific ways to approach (children) whenever they get lost,” said Police Cpt. Terry Fortenberry. Izquierdo, whose 13-year-old son Jean Michael lives with autism, said she was pleased with both the training and the new system, which she said will help the community tremendously.
“I think it’s wonderful that these police officers are taking the time to meet with the children, get to know them, see how their personalities are and learn about differences in each diagnosis,” she said. “There isn’t one child who is alike. If the Police Department ever has to come talk to my Jean Michael, this new training and Red Alert will let them know his diagnosis and how to interact with him.”
Matthew McGaughey, 15, gives members of the Silver City Police Department high-fives with his mother Charlotte at his side.
Cole Younger, 14, introduces himself to officers Salvador Quintana, Patrick Mosley and Carly Rico during last week s Red Alert and Autism Training program.
Jean Michael Vega, 13, Cole Younger, 14, Samantha Humble, 11, Cpl. Antonio Carrillo, Officer Salvador Quintana, Karen Morant, and Danielle Humble, 11, hold up magnets and stickers in the shape of a puzzle — a sign to let law enforcement know that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are within a vehicle or home — during a program to help police officers deal with children with autism, down syndrome, traumatic brain injuries and cerebral palsy.
Copyright 2012 Silver City Sun-News