Summit Police Launch Program To Help Those With Autism, Alzheimer's, Dementia

SUMMIT, NJ — The Summit Police Department held a press conference Monday at City Hall announcing the launch of a new community outreach initiative, Summit PD CARES: Community Policing Awareness, Response, and Engagement with the Special Needs Community.

The program was designed after several months of research, training, and collaboration with community partners and was created to help foster strong relationships and communication with Summit residents diagnosed with Autism, Alzheimer’s, and Dementia.

Watch the press conference below:

“I am extremely pleased about the official launch of our new Summit PD Cares community service program,” said Summit Mayor Nora Radest. “It is another laudable and important step in Summit Police Department outreach and its goal of connecting with the community.”

Summit PD CARES was announced by the Department as a modular program encompassing four unique services: CARES Registration, Smart911, CARES Sticks!, and Project Lifesaver.

Those interested in registering for any of the services can contact the Community Policing Unit for more information or visit Police Headquarters to register. Project Lifesaver is administered by the Union County Sheriff’s K9 Unit and those interested may contact the Unit directly or visit Summit Police Headquarters for more information.

“Summit PD CARES showcases an investment of dedicated resources and highlights our continuing work to enhance our abilities to provide the highest level of professional law enforcement services to every resident of our city and furthers our outreach to residents with Autism, Alzheimer’s, and Dementia,” said Chief Robert Weck. “The lines of communication and information available to our Officers via CARES will help us respond to calls for service with advanced information to help better serve our community.”

The Police Department also worked closely with the Mountain Valley Emergency Community Center, the regional emergency dispatch center for Summit, New Providence, and Millburn emergency services, to facilitate the program.

— By Amy Cairns

(Image provided: Pictured from left - Summit Mayor Nora Radest, Officer Matthew Tarentino and Police Chief Robert Weck.)

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