Palos Park Police To Start Carrying Sensory Tool Kits
PALOS PARK, IL May 9 2021— Palos Park police officers heading out on patrol will now carry emergency sensory tool kits to help soothe children on the autism spectrum.
The kits can calm down children with autism and help them communicate in emergency situations. The kits contain items like noise-canceling earphones and sunglasses to children and adults deal with sensory overload during emergencies.
The police department has also received funding from the Palos Park Police Foundation to enhance the project with wristbands that will also enable first responders to identify children and adults with sensory challenges.
Parents, as well as residents and businesses, can sign up to receive public safety alerts via LAN line or cell phones about emergency situations from the CodeRED Emergency Notification Service. The system is capable of sending messages only to specific neighborhoods or the entire community regarding potential hazards, weather emergencies or crime patterns that may be occurring in Palos Park. Residents can also email Chief Joe Miller at jmiller@palospark.org to be added to the notification list.
“Our kits will be useful to police and firefighter when responding to an emergency. The flashing lights and sirens can provide a sensory overload to children and adults with autism,” Commissioner Dan Polk said.
“This will give us a better resource to deal with that. Assorted toys in the kit can help children calm down, regardless of whether they have autism.”
