Nassau County, NY - April 18, 2014 - In support of the Nassau County Police Department’s Return Every Adult & Child Home (R.E.A.C.H.) Program, the NCPD Foundation is hosting a registration drive on Wednesday, April 23rd and Friday, April 25th at the NCPD Police Academy, which is located at 200 Second Avenue in Massapequa Park, to register participants of the Association for Children with Down Syndrome (ACDS).
The R.E.A.C.H. Program was launched by County Executive Mangano and the NCPD in 2010 to provide law enforcement officials with information and photos of individuals who suffer from cognitive disorders (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia, Autism, etc.) should they go missing. Individuals registered with the R.E.A.C.H. Program have their information stored in a secure database created by the NCPD so that when law enforcement is notified of a missing loved one, the NCPD can disseminate a photo and pertinent information through the NCPD’s Real Time Intel system.
County Executive Mangano stated, “My goal when unveiling this program in 2010 was to have every adult and child with a cognitive disorder in Nassau County registered with the R.E.A.C.H. Program. By doing so we ensure that our law enforcement officers are equipped with the intelligence needed to assist in returning a loved one home safely should they go missing.”
Registration is free and only takes approximately ten minutes for each individual. Every registrant will be given a wristband, lanyard and identification card so that law enforcement officers can recognize them as members of the program should they go missing.
“It has been a pleasure to work with the R.E.A.C.H program,” said Michael Smith, Executive Director of ACDS. “The concept of registering ACDS program participants was overwhelmingly embraced by the families we served and our consumers have been made to feel very welcomed by police officials. I hope we never need their services, but if we do, we know our guys will be in good hands.”
“Due to this amazing program, the NCPD is able to return individuals to their loved ones before they know they are missing,” said Eric Blumencranz, Chairman of the NCPD Foundation. “We are proud to support this program and encourage our residents who have loved ones that suffer from a cognitive disorder to have them registered as an extra layer of protection and security.”
The NCPD is able to register individuals at its Asset Forfeiture Unit Monday – Friday from 9am – 4pm. To schedule a time to have your loved one registered please call (516) 573-5775.