Springfield Township is launching an effort in which residents will help them as they help residents. Its police officers hope to create a voluntary list of residents with specific needs that they would benefit from knowing about prior to arriving onsite. Josh Popichak reported the intended info-sharing initiative in the Saucon Source.

The “Special Needs Registry” is expected to be a particular asset in helping residents with cognitive impairments. Knowing beforehand that a resident with Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, or other like condition will help officers respond with understanding, preparedness, and compassion.

For example, the registry is expected to aid in cases where impaired residents, easily confused, inadvertently get lost.

It also includes details such as preferred calming methods, possible triggers, and even the presence of a service animal.

Signing up for the registry is completely voluntary and its data will be kept secure.

“You can put as much information as you are comfortable with and it does not get disseminated or viewed by anyone but our police officers here in Springfield Township,” the announcement read.

It concluded: “Our police department strives to serve not only our community but all interactions with the public with the utmost professionalism, and this is just another tool in our tool belt to assist us with that goal.”

The voluntary form is online.