Stearns Co. program launches to help first responders assist disabled people
Credit: Stearns County Sheriff's Office
Stearns County law enforcement agencies have started a program that will alert responders when they could be dealing with people who have difficulty with communication.
The new program, launched by the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office and Police Chiefs Association, makes color-coded stickers available for people to place on front doors and windows to inform all first responders of peoples’ disabilities right away.
Stickers are available to signal the presence of Autistic people; people with brain injuries or PTSD; people with diabetes; people affected by Alzheimer’s or dementia; and people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
View the five sticker images provided by the sheriff’s office in the gallery below.
The county’s goal is for police, fire and emergency medical services to be prepared to alter their response techniques.
Stearns County says the stickers are free and available at the sheriff’s office in St. Cloud and all police agencies within Stearns County.
Stickers can also be obtained at some public events, the county says.
Many law enforcement agencies across the country have started similar programs.
