The Plano Police Crime Prevention Unit implemented the successful Take Me Home Program, aiding high-risk individuals in getting home safely.
Originally developed by the Pensacola Florida Police Department, the program is widely adopted in various cities across North Texas to assist those who may face communication challenges during emergencies or who may become lost due to cognitive issues. This assistance may be necessary for individuals who are unable to speak or properly identify themselves, become disoriented, or exhibit behavior that could be misinterpreted by first responders.
This program is a free service available to any Plano resident who may have difficulty communicating, specifically targeting individuals with Autism, Down Syndrome and developmental or cognitive disabilities. It also aims to assist senior citizens suffering from Dementia or Alzheimer's.
The Take Me Home program is run through a database maintained by the Plano Police Department, accessible only to public safety personnel. Families or individuals can complete a form providing the individual's height, weight and other identifying information, along with emergency contact details. Bring the completed form and the individual to be enrolled to the Plano Police Department, where a digital photograph of the enrollee will be taken.
This information is entered into a database that police officers can quickly access while on patrol or at the police station. All information is kept confidential.
When a police officer encounters a participant in the Take Me Home program, the officer can access the database by name or description to locate their enrollment record. Using this information, the officer can appropriately assist the individual. Caregivers will be contacted immediately to inform them that their loved one has been located.
The system can also work in reverse: if your loved one goes missing, their picture and description are immediately available. In this case, police encourage you to call 911 as soon as possible, especially if they are disabled. Be sure to inform the police that the individual is registered in the Take Me Home database.
For more information on the Take Me Home Program, contact the Plano Crime Prevention Unit at crimeprevention@plano.gov or 972.941.2431
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