For Immediate Release:
May 18, 2016
Freeholders recognize County's
Special Needs Registry
FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders issued a proclamation acknowledging the May 12, 2016 as Monmouth County Special Needs Registry Day. Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni, Undersheriff Robert Dawson and Chief John Sorrentino, Chief of the Sea Bright Police Department accepted the proclamation. The program is a joint effort between the Prosecutor's office, the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office and the Monmouth County Chiefs of Police.
The Monmouth County Special Needs Registry is a voluntary service open to all citizens with disabilities who reside, attend school or are employed in Monmouth County. The registry was created to help police officers and other emergency service personnel to better assist residents with special needs in the event of an emergency by providing first responders with vital information regarding a registrant’s disability, emergency contact information, a physical description and current photograph of the registrant.
“This is a cutting-edge program that will eventually get everyone’s attention across the country,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, who is liaison to the Prosecutor’s Office and the Sheriff’s Department. “Since its implementation in March, 250 people have registered. This is a remarkable success which will spread throughout New Jersey.
“No first responder exactly knows what kind of situation they will encounter when arriving at the scene,” explained Burry. “This private registry gives them important information to be better prepared in assessing conditions and trying to save lives. The information is not just for law enforcement; but for all first-responders, including fire officials and emergency medical personnel.”
The program is voluntary and free of charge. It covers a wide range of special needs: from a wheelchair-bound elderly resident to a young child with autism, or a U.S. Army veteran suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Every year, more than 400 children from Monmouth County enter the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center to report to authorities that they are victims of child abuse. Approximately 10 percent of Monmouth County's residents, or more than 60,000 people in the county, can be characterized as having special needs.
Anyone who wants to join the program can fill out a detailed questionnaire providing information about his or her family member with special needs. A photo should be provided and any specific details pertaining to the person's special need. The information, which is confidential, is available for dispatchers when they receive a 911 call. The dispatchers then pass the information along to the responding officers.
Families who join the registry will also be given stickers for their cars and homes so that officers can spot the decals when they arrive at the scene.
The program, which costs around $7,000, launched as a pilot program in March with five towns: Eatontown, Tinton Falls, Ocean Township, Monmouth Beach and Sea Bright. It is funded by the prosecutor's office's forfeiture fund, made up of seized proceeds from criminal activity.
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