Those of you who were at the Compassion Dialogue on Tuesday, or those who watched on TV may remember hearing Peter Hayes and Chief Moulton reference Project Lifesaver. Project Lifesaver, a tracking device worn around the wrist or ankle of a person who is at risk for wandering, is a more recent add on to a program that has been in place for years within Scarborough PD - the Scarborough Special Needs Registry. I reached out to Officer Douglas Weed for more information about both programs, and his answers are further proof that we are home to the most compassionate police force around!
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| Officer Weed with Carrigain Rowan and friends at her Barn Dance Birthday - She collected donations for Project Lifesaver |
SKP: I think everyone in Scarborough has heard about Operation HOPE, but not many know about the work Scarborough PD has done over the years to keep individuals with disabilities safe. Can you tell me a little bit about what you've been doing, including Project Lifesaver, and your inspiration for starting the programs?
Weed: My wife Peggy and I have five children, two with disabilities. The youngest of our triplets, Daniel, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after his first birthday. Our daughter, and only girl, Makayla was diagnosed with autism just after her second birthday. After the whirlwind and initial shock of these diagnoses, my wife and I started to research these disabilities in an effort to help our children reach a mainstream level.
Early on a Sunday Morning, approximately 12 years ago, I located a 5 year old boy. The boy walked out of the woods and crossed the road in front of my cruiser wearing pajamas. In an attempt to make contact with the boy, he ran. I located him in the woods and attempted to make contact. He started jumping up and down flapping his hands and making grunting noises. He would not respond to me verbally, and I recognized the behavior as an anxiety-based response to stress. I quickly realized we had a major problem, a non-verbal 5 year old boy with special needs. He could not communicate his name, nor his address or phone number. Luckily his mother reported him missing, and we were able to reunite the family. When I toured the home, I discovered something amazing. Mom had placed locks on the doors, equipped with alarms and many other safety devices that he had learned over time to defeat.
This incident spawned the idea of the Scarborough Special Needs Registry Program. The special needs program we developed allows a family member, guardian, etc. to supply us with information to help police interact, locate and provide the highest level of service to a person with special needs. The information provided is downloaded into our IMC Computer Program. The information is then visible to dispatchers, police officers, and firefighters on their MDT's (Mobile Laptops). It includes trigger words, calming techniques, photos, maps of areas around school, work, residence, and labeled bodies of water. In the event of a missing person, this will help us streamline the search areas and, if located, be able to make contact.
SKP: How do families sign up?
Weed: Families can print off the Scarborough Special Needs Forms from the Scarborough Police website under forms. Once the paperwork is completed the family can call me at 207-883-6361 and make an appointment to drop it off. At that time, I will review the paperwork with the family and show them how the program works. An appointment does not need to be made unless the family wishes to see how the program works.
SKP: Do you have a way for people to donate to the programs? I remember from reading this Leader article that the cost for the equipment each family needs to participate in Project Lifesaver is around $300 and that you were hoping for donations to defray some of that expense for families.
Weed: Donations can be made to the Project Lifesaver program through Cathy Chandler, Secretary to the Chief of Police. Donations will be used to purchase equipment for current and future clients.
SKP: Is Project Lifesaver actually saving lives?
Weed: Both programs are saving lives, Project Lifesaver adds a significant tool to our tool belt when it comes to locating a person who has eloped. Recently another Scarborough Police Officer and I were able to disarm a young male with a knife. Using the information provided in his special needs form, we were able to calm him down and retrieve the knife without incident. Neither one of these programs are 100%, but I believe the more information the officer has the better level of service he can provide to the person with special needs.
Project Lifesaver and the Scarborough Special Needs Program will continue to evolve as Scarborough grows. I am happy with the increased level of training that officers are receiving when it comes to dealing with a special needs person, but there is more to do. I am hoping through families like yours, we can keep this on the forefront and provide people with special needs the highest level of service available. We are lucky to have a Police and Fire Chief who are very supportive of both programs. For me, it comes down to being raised in town, having family here, working here, and coaching here - it's about home, it's about our families.
One of my favorite quotes is from Henry Ford:
Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.
For More Information I can be reached at:
Scarborough Police Department
246 US Route 1
Scarborough, Maine
Non-Emergency- 207-883-6361 Voice Mail- 207-730-4322
SKP: Thank you for your time, Officer Weed, and for your dedication to ensuring ALL of our neighbors are treated with both dignity and respect for their unique needs and circumstances.
