Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara joined the Rotterdam Police Department Friday to launch a life-saving “Take Me Home” program immediately available to local families of those affected by autism, or other disabilities that may impair communication skills including seniors living with Alzheimer’s.

Take Me Home is a program offered to police departments across the country as part of the Autism Society’s Safe and Sound Initiative – free of charge to communities like Rotterdam.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 68 children are living with autism, and the Take Me Home program helps address a growing concern. Take Me Home is a database developed to help Police Departments respond to people who may need special assistance if they are alone or in times of emergency. This kind of assistance may be required if the person is unable to speak or properly identify themselves, or if they become disoriented or act in a manner that could be misinterpreted by first responders.

Should a police officer encounter someone enrolled in the Take Me Home program during a search or other emergency situation, police vehicle computers can be used to help identify the missing person. Once the individual’s Take Me Home record has been located, the officer has the information on hand to appropriately assist the person and call for any special assistance required.

Take Me Home also allows the police department to transmit information regarding a missing person to officers on patrol. If someone enrolled in the program is reported missing to the Police Department, all pertinent information on that individual is instantly shared with officers in the field to help return them safely home to their loved ones.

“The Take Me Home program helps address a growing concern in our community. By providing a mechanism for the safe return home of people who may have trouble communicating with law enforcement and first responders, the program is a lifesaving resource for our most vulnerable citizens, including senior citizens and people with autism, and their families,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara, whose son, Michael, was diagnosed with autism at age 3 and is now 14. “Like many parents of children on the autism spectrum, one of my biggest fears is that my son could find himself in an emergency situation where he strayed too far from home and is not be able to communicate the basic information to get back home, like who he is and where he lives. After seeing the success of the ‘Take Me Home’ program in other areas, I felt it was important to work with the Rotterdam Police Department to make this vital resource available to local families in our area.”

Rotterdam Police Chief James Hamilton said, “The program will be an invaluable tool that will allow the Rotterdam Police Department the opportunity to better serve the people of Rotterdam and better protect our most at-risk citizens.”

Town Supervisor Steve Tommasone said, “The public safety of our residents is always of paramount concern. The Take Me Home program gives our police officers another tool to ensure the safe return of our most vulnerable loved ones when they go missing. We are very appreciative of Assemblyman Santabarbara’s continued compassion for the wellbeing of seniors and individuals with autism and his efforts to bring this valuable resource to the Town of Rotterdam.”

Residents can register their family members for the Take Me Home program by filling out an application located at rotterdampd.org and returning it to the Police Department along with a recent photograph, or by emailing the completed application and photo to takemehome@rotterdamny.org.

Questions can also be sent to that address or directed to Lt. Jeffrey Collins by calling 355-7331 ext. 288.