Hillsborough Township Launches Autism Shield Program

Press release from the Hillsborough Township:

May 16, 2022

The Hillsborough Township Police Department has recently undergone specialized training offered by Parents of Autistic Children (POAC) Autism Services. Chief Mike McMahon and the Hillsborough Township Police Department believe this training is very important and began to brainstorm better ways to communicate with our own autistic community.

The Hillsborough Township Police Department has started the initial steps to implement a notification program within our community. The goal of this program is to allow parents or guardians of children with autism or anyone involved in the care of an adult with autism, a way to communicate directly with law enforcement, prior to any emergency.

The purpose of this initiative is to create a safer environment for our Hillsborough community and to increase the effectiveness when responding to calls for service. This program is completely voluntary and confidential, any information you provide will be helpful to officers.

Please download the PDF form, complete, and return to Operations Assistant Christine Struzienski at struzienskic@hillsboroughpd.org

Questions may be directed via e-mail to Officer Carly Dwyer (dwyerc@hillsboroughpd.org) or Officer Rick Tichenor (tichenorr@hillsboroughpd.org) or by telephone at 908-369-4323 extension 7650.

For more information on POAC Autism Services, check out their website:

www.poac.net struzienskic@hillsboroughpd.org dwyerc@hillsboroughpd.org tichenorr@hillsboroughpd.org

This press release was produced by the Hillsborough Township. The views expressed here are the author’s own.