New Hampshire police aim to better understand at-risk residents through voluntary information sharing program

The Concord Monitor describes a new program aimed at reducing challenges for law enforcement who interact with vulnerable residents. Rolled out in a few New Hampshire towns, the “Unique Needs Program” allows families to submit important information about at-risk loved ones to their local precinct, in case officers encounter them in the community. The public can submit the online form about family members with a chronic mental illness, a developmental disability, or memory loss, and include their physical description, emergency contact information, fears and phobias, particular behaviors, and/or favorite locations. When officers encounter a registered person or are dispatched to their address, they will be better informed and prepared to understand special circumstances. This effort comes alongside a new requirement for enhanced training on mental illness, special training on autism, and new crisis intervention specialty training. Disability advocates in the state suggest that while these efforts could reduce misunderstandings that result in tragic outcomes for people with disabilities, officers still need to seek out feedback and ideas from disabled people themselves to truly meet community needs. #covid-19 #rural #mentalhealth