Sault Ste. Marie police today launched a new registry aimed at helping first responders deal with local residents who are vulnerable and/or known to wander.
Created with information provided by individuals or their caregivers, the registry is designed for people in the Sault and Prince Townships living with autism, Alzheimer's Disease, dementia, or any other intellectual disability or vulnerability.
Information on the registry will include photographs, phone numbers and methods of approaching the vulnerable person to de-escalate any situation that may arise.
“By registering a wandering and/or vulnerable person, you will grant the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service the ability to quickly access critical information about the person's description, routines, communication, medical needs, favourite places, additional needs, and emergency contact information,” says a news release from the police. “The information provided will only be used by first responders to assist you and/or your loved one in a crisis.”
Below is the full news release from city police:
Beginning today the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is now offering a Wandering and/or Vulnerable Person Registry.
Online Reporting was re-introduced mid-way through 2020. Since that time, members have been exploring ways to expand the service for the people of Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Township.
Sault Ste. Marie Police will continue to work with community partners to ensure the registry meets their needs and provides critical information for first responders. Having an internal registry will allow people who voluntarily register themselves or loved ones to provide police with information not currently accessible.
This information, such as photographs, methods of approaching the vulnerable person to de-escalate any situation and routines will increase the safety of the public, officers and may save the life of someone who is not with their caregiver.
The registry is for wandering and/or vulnerable people who are living with,
- Autism,
- Alzheimer's Disease or other forms of dementia,
- An acquired brain injury,
- An intellectual disability, and/or
- Any other vulnerability.who may exhibit patterns of behaviour that may pose a risk to themselves or others.
The information voluntarily provided in the registry will only be used by first responders to assist you/and or your loved one in a crisis.
To learn more about the Wandering and/or Vulnerable Person Registry, visit www.saultpolice.ca/wvpr. To learn more about the Online Reporting System, visit www.saultpolice.ca/reporting.