City Adding Autism Safety Software For Emergency Dispatch

GROTON CITY, CT — In 2017, Police Chief Michael Spellman said that it's not a matter of "if" an officer will come in contact with a citizen on the autism spectrum, but rather, a matter of "when." Indeed, one out of every 59 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, the Centers for Disease Control said in 2018.

City of Groton Police officer Bobby Harris, who has two decades of training in working with people on the autism spectrum and is himself a trainer in the field, noted that first responders should know how to approach a person with autism and, "Not just barge in here if I have a problem and expect my son to act like a normal kid would act,” he told local media last year. His son has Asperger’s.

Now, the city has signed a formal agreement to begin using a specialized software in its emergency dispatch center that was designed to better help officers and first responders how a person with autism communicates, might react, and identifies special sensitivities, like flashing lights, and very loud noises, police and fire sirens, for example.

On Wednesday, Groton City Mayor Keith Hedrick announced that the Citizens with Autism Service System software, which was developed in Stonington in 2016, will be used by city police dispatchers.

At a brief ceremony at Stonington Town Hall, Hedrick, and outgoing Stonington First Selectman Rob Simmons signed and authorized the sharing of the Connecticut Council of Municipalities award-winning software which which allows parents of children on the spectrum to voluntarily opt in, allows police to meet the service needs of this community stakeholder, and if missing, identifies bodies of water proximal to their home. This allows first responders tools necessary to commence an immediate effective search, identifies areas where a drowning risk exists, drowning is a reported common cause of death for those on the spectrum, and gives informational tools for law enforcement to positively interact when located with those on the spectrum.

Hedrick recognized Stonington information technology director Roger Kizer and Groton Utilities information technology director Sue Blanchette for their work making this concept a reality. The program is an all-voluntary opt in and is Connecticut Criminal Justice Information System and HIPPA-compliant.

With the Arc in Groton City, Hedrick said in a press release, "we see this as a logical step to serve better those on the spectrum and ensure this emerging community stakeholder with unique service needs have their needs met professionally and effectively and with compassion."

The city says all police and fire personnel have received specialized ALEC Training, and Officer Bobby Harris has gone the extra step of becoming a Certified ALEC Instructor and has presented in Connecticut nearly every New England state as well as to Mississippi and Arizona Law Enforcement agencies.

The City of Groton will schedule a “Touch a Truck” event on Saturday Jan. 18, 2020 during the day to allow a voluntary opt in for parents of children on the spectrum.

Hedrick thanked James Streeter of North East Forensics, "for a very generous donation to the City of Groton Police Department that allowed the installation of this software to occur at no cost to the taxpayer."