“Occupant with Autism” Sticker Initiative from the New Paltz Police Department

From Chief Joe Snyder of the NPPD:

For several years now the New Paltz Police Department has had Autism Awareness stickers on our cars to remind people of the prevalence of Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders and to show our support to those with ASDs.

The NPPD wishes to announce that we now have available “Occupant with Autism” stickers that can either be placed on the vehicle that transports someone with ASDs or on the door of their home to advise emergency responders.

ASDs are the fastest growing developmental disabilities in the U.S. It is estimated that 1 in 59 people suffer from ASDs. ASDs affect people of all races, genders and economic groups. People with ASDs are 7 times more likely than most to come in contact with first responders. Many times, when these contacts are with Law Enforcement, people with ASDs may react in a way that suggests they are being aggressive or non-compliant. But in fact, they just have trouble communicating and relating to others, or they are extremely sensitive to sensory stimulation that may be created by emergency lights or sirens.

New Paltz Police Officer Philipp Kraus, who oversees the department’s mental health and crisis intervention training and proposed this initiative said, “As Police Officers, having some information that the person we are approaching, whether in a vehicle or house, has an ASD, may give us an understanding as to why the person is responding the way they are. This information will hopefully allow us to properly react to them and make the interaction safe for all parties and have a positive outcome.”

We recommend placing the sticker on the lower left corner of the rear window or on the outside of the main entrance of the residence. We hope that this small gesture may be what changes the outcome of a tense situation, just by giving responding officers the heads-up that the person they are dealing with has an ASD.

The stickers are available at the New Paltz Police Department, 83 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz.