The Las Cruces Police Department is celebrating World Autism Awareness by providing free window decals to anyone with autism spectrum disorder, or parents and caretakers of children with autism.
Source: City of Las Cruces
The response to the Las Cruces Police Department’s autism awareness decal giveaway has been so overwhelming that supplies were depleted in less than two days.
The window decals – intended to be prominently affixed to the window of a motor vehicle or residence of anyone with autism spectrum disorder – help alert police that an occupant has autism.
Knowing an occupant has autism spectrum disorder helps eliminate misunderstandings that police may have while interacting with them.
The decals were available for free to anyone with autism spectrum disorder and those who care for somebody with autism. LCPD has ordered additional autism awareness decals that should be available within the next few weeks.
April is World Autism Month. LCPD’s “Supporting Autism Awareness” puzzle-piece window decals are brightly colored and in the shape of the departmental patch that’s worn by all uniformed personnel.
Original Post:
Tuesday, April 2, is World Autism Awareness Day and April is World Autism Month.
The decals, affixed prominently to a window, help alert police that an occupant within a motor vehicle or residence has autism spectrum disorder. Knowing an occupant has autism helps eliminate misunderstandings that police may have while performing a traffic stop or communicating with inhabitants of a home.
LCPD’s “Supporting Autism Awareness” puzzle-piece window decals are brightly colored and in the shape of the departmental patch that’s worn by all uniformed personnel. The decals are available for free to anyone with autism spectrum disorder or those who care for somebody with autism.
Persons with autism spectrum disorder, or those who care for someone with autism, can pick up a free decal at the Las Cruces Police Department, 217 E. Picacho Ave., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Decals are in short supply and are available on a first-come first-served basis.
Over the last several years, police departments across the country have increased training for officers on how best to interact with individuals with autism. Specialized training teaches officers to recognize the signs of autism and how to interact accordingly.
