Politics & Government

Police Roll Out ID Bracelets For Those With Alzheimer's

Suffolk County Police Department offers program to help seniors with special needs

Half Hollow Hills families are encouraged to register senior citizens and individuals with special needs in the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD)’s Special Needs/Silver Alert Program.

Designed for people with dementia (including Alzheimer’s), developmental disabilities (autism, mentally challenged), severe mental illness and other cognitive disorders that may impair reasoning and result in a person wandering or becoming lost or disoriented, the Special Needs/Silver Alert Program enables individuals, parents, guardians, relatives or other caregivers to register such persons in the SCPD’s database. The information will, in turn, be accessible to police officers responding to an emergency situation involving that individual so the officers are better able to care for that person’s needs. 

Individuals registering for the program may request an identification bracelet that can be mailed free of charge.  The bracelet will contain a distinct number as well as a number for the SCPD that first responders can utilize when contacting the police to obtain the most up-to-date information regarding the individual in need.  To find out more about the program, download the registration form or complete the form online, visit www.suffolkpd.org and click on Amber/Silver Alert or contact Bernadette Zimmerman, SCPD Special Needs Coordinator at (631) 852-6983.

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“By enabling first responders to provide critical care based on an individual’s specific medical needs and history, the SCPD’s Special Needs/Silver Alert program could save lives,” said Suffolk County Legis. Lou D’Amaro.  “I encourage everyone who cares for, or cares about, an individual with special needs to look into this valuable program and take full advantage of an opportunity to help those who are most vulnerable.”


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