For Immediate Release

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Bedford Police to Host Meet and Greet for Autism Awareness Month

BEDFORD — Chief Robert Bongiorno is pleased to announce that the Bedford Police Department will host a meet and greet for community members impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) this weekend in honor of Autism Awareness Month.

WHEN

Saturday, April 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE

Bedford Police Station, 2 Mudge Way

WHAT

As part of Autism Awareness Month, which is recognized each April, the Bedford Police Department welcomes those living with ASD, as well as parents and caregivers, to meet with Bedford Police officers and see the station firsthand.

This meet and greet will allow Bedford Police officers to get to know community members who live with autism in order to better serve them should they come into contact during a call for service.

Attendees can tour the station and see the department’s police equipment, assemble child identification kits and register with the department by taking a photo and providing important information.

“We know that individuals with autism and their families face unique challenges, and we want to do anything we can to ensure that they feel comfortable working with our officers,” Chief Bongiorno said. “I hope that residents will come out to this event to say introduce themselves and take the opportunity to share with us how we can best  support their families.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that an average of one in 68 children in the U.S. have an ASD that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. These challenges often present unique safety risks, which may increase the chance of encounters with police and other first responders.

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