Take Me Home

Imagine being a police officer responding to a call where an individual is unresponsive or belligerent or aggressive. In an instant, the officer must decide how best to handle the situation. Unless the officer is aware these behaviors might be the result of deafness, autism or Down syndrome, the outcome could be inappropriate for the situation.

The Cape Girardeau Police Department is participating in a new program that teaches responders how to identify and help people with special needs in a crisis. Called Take Me Home, the program includes a database providing a photo, description and contact information for people who are registered to participate.

This program also can be a resource when special-needs individuals are reported missing. The database can be used to help firefighters and emergency medical responders. It can also provide valuable information after a natural disaster or an accident.

The program is voluntary, and information submitted about registered individuals is kept confidential. Information will be updated once a year.

Thanks to the Take Me Home project, officers in Cape Girardeau have another tool to provide informed and compassionate assistance when it's needed.