IPD Reminds Community about “Take Me Home Program”

Independence PD- The Independence, Kansas Police Department (IPD)  wants to remind residents about the Take Me Home Program.

The program is designed to help officers get people with cognitive disorders home.

Law enforcement officers often have contact with those whose disabilities, such as Autism, prevent them from communicating where they live or who has responsibility for them.  The program was started by Sgt. Jimmy Donohoe of the Pensacola Florida Police Department. Deputy Alison Anderson of the Johnson County Kansas Sheriff’s Office helped Independence

Police develop the program locally. IPD adopted the program 5 years ago this month.

The Take Me Home program is designed for those individuals who have trouble communicating due to developmental or cognitive disabilities such as Autism, Down Syndrome, Dementia or Alzheimer’s.

The program is a database maintained by the Independence Police Department’s Communications Division and is only accessible to law enforcement personnel.

The system includes a description of the person’s disability, picture, physical description and emergency
contact information provided by their legal guardian.

This free program is open to Independence residents.