What is a C.A.R.E. Alert? C.A.R.E. Alert is a unique program offered by the Greece Police Department that fosters collaboration between our officers and the community to improve communication with special needs individuals. This program is designed to assist people in the Greece community with conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Autism, Dementia, Down Syndrome, mental illness, and substance use disorders. Registering a loved one with the C.A.R.E. Alert program helps ensure that our officers are informed about their specific needs before interacting with them, including communication preferences, potential triggers, and calming techniques.
Purpose
The C.A.R.E. Alert program aims to facilitate effective communication between Greece Police Officers and community members with special needs. By proactively identifying and understanding the unique needs of at-risk community members, we will enhance our ability to respond effectively during moments of crisis. This initiative allows the Greece Police Department to act swiftly and appropriately, promoting the safety of vulnerable individuals, especially those prone to wandering or needing specialized care.
Value
Information fuels success, and this principle is especially true when interacting with community members. By providing officers with essential information before an interaction, we can better understand an individual’s special needs, recognize potential triggers, and apply known calming techniques to help resolve crises more effectively. Additionally, by knowing the locations of our C.A.R.E. Alert members, we can quickly identify individuals who may be prone to wandering, allowing us to locate and return them more swiftly.
Voluntary Registry
Participation in the C.A.R.E. Alert program is entirely voluntary for members of the Greece community. Individuals can choose to remove themselves from the program at any time if desired. With that in mind, we view this program as a valuable tool that helps our officers respond more effectively to those in need.
If you or a loved one has special needs or experiences mental illness, we encourage your participation in the C.A.R.E. Alert program. By providing important information, you help ensure that we are better prepared to assist you or your loved one in an emergency.
Procedure
To enroll in the program, a special needs individual or their guardian/caretaker submits the required below, providing all necessary information. We ask for a recent photo of the individual, ideally without other people in the frame.
Once the form is submitted, our C.A.R.E. Alert officer will review the information. If the individual qualifies for the program, the officer will contact the requestor to verify the details. Upon verification, the information is forwarded to the Office of Emergency Communications (O.E.C.), which creates a C.A.R.E. Alert containing the photo and relevant information for the individual’s address.
When Greece Police are dispatched to that address, the provided information will automatically be included in the call details, allowing officers to review it before responding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cost anything?
No, this program is entirely free and voluntary. However, this program is currently available only to Greece residents.
When is this information used?
When officers are dispatched to a call at a location where someone on the C.A.R.E. Alert registry resides, they will have access to the provided information. The information allows officers to communicate more effectively with individuals who have special needs.
Officers will already have crucial details, including a photo if an individual on the registry goes missing or wanders off. This helps expedite the search process and increases the chances of locating the individual quickly, as they won’t need to gather this information and then share it with assisting officers.
Can you guarantee this information will be available to responding Greece Police officers?
While we make every effort to ensure this information is available to responding officers, there may be situations where, although rare, they cannot review it before arriving at the scene due to various factors.
Who will see my information?
Once the form is submitted through our website, it is sent to a secure, dedicated email address at the police department for review. After verifying the information, it is forwarded to the Office of Emergency Communications (O.E.C.) to create the C.A.R.E. Alert. Sensitive details are kept on the officer’s job card for review and are not typically transmitted over the radio.
How long will someone remain on the C.A.R.E. Alert program?
Our C.A.R.E. Alert officer will contact individuals registered in the program annually to verify their information is up-to-date. This ensures we have the most current details on file, including an updated photo, as physical attributes may change over time. If you wish to have a loved one removed from the program, you can request to do so.
What happens if someone enrolled in this program moves or lives at two locations?
If someone enrolled in the C.A.R.E. Alert program moves, please contact us at CAREalert@greeceny.gov so we can update the information. If you are still a Greece resident, we will keep you enrolled in the program unless you request otherwise. However, if you move outside the Greece community, we will remove you from the program. If an individual co-resides with a guardian/caretaker, please provide the address that is considered their primary residence.
As the program’s effectiveness and value grow, we hope to eventually expand it to cover all of Monroe County.
What if I have more questions?
For any further questions about this program, please contact CAREalert@greeceny.gov.
