Itasca cops help shape new state law for special-needs residents

Itasca police have reason to be proud as a new state law takes effect to protect special-needs residents.

Two disabled residents with limited mobility contacted the village's police department about five years ago to alert officials of their conditions in case of a robbery, fire or other emergency.

Deputy Chief Dean Myles said officers quickly realized it would be wise to know about all village residents who might need extra help.

"We thought that was great for those two people, but there are probably dozens more that should be in our system in case there is an emergency," Myles said.

Police soon reached out to such residents, compiling a list that now totals almost 40 people who can't hear or walk, live with autism or Alzheimers, or have another condition that might need special attention.

Now police and fire departments across Illinois will offer similar services under the "premise alert program." Introduced by State Sen. Edward Maloney of Chicago and signed into law Aug. 28, the program allows families to contact their local police or fire department and submit information about someone who may need special attention in an emergency.

Under the law, if a 911 call center has the proper technology, it must accept information on people with disabilities and share it with police, firefighters and paramedics. Participation is voluntary for residents.

Maloney devised the idea of a statewide program and contacted Giant Steps Illinois, an autism training center, which alerted him to Itasca's system.

Myles, who has served for about a year on the board of the Autism Society of Illinois and whose daughter is autistic, said the service could prevent harmful encounters involving police and people with special needs.

"When we went to training for police in autism, we saw higher rates of victimization," said Myles. "We learned that people with autism and other disabilities are more likely to come in contact with police - not because they're doing anything wrong - but because of unusual behavior or other circumstances people might not understand."

For details on Itasca's program, call (630) 773-1004. For details on the statewide law, visit ilga.gov and search for bill SB2057.