Ensuring the safety and well-being of all our residents is top priority. This month, as part of our Safer Naper campaign, we are highlighting the unique programs the Naperville Police Department has to help meet the needs of those with physical or mental disabilities, and our partnerships with community senior organizations.
The Fastrack Program, offered since 2005, is a life-saving program designed to locate high-risk people who have a history of wandering. Clients of the Fastrack Program wear a personalized transmitter that emits a continual silent tracking signal. When caregivers notify the Naperville Police Department that a client is missing, a specially trained search and rescue team responds and begins tracking the client with a hand-held system that can reduce search times from hours and days down to minutes.
The Caring Hands Program is a joint effort of the Naperville Fire and Police Departments that began in 2019. It allows residents to voluntarily provide Naperville’s first responders with critical information about themselves or loved ones with developmental, cognitive, mental, medical and/or physical disabilities who may require special assistance during an emergency or non-emergency situation. Information provided could include methods of communication, sensory and medical issues as well as approach and de-escalation techniques. This program allows the appropriate first responders answering a call for service to have necessary information about individual who may require special attention or care before they even arrive at the scene.
The Naperville Police Department also partners with various community organizations. The Naperville Senior Task Force helps address the unique needs of Naperville’s growing senior population promoting the coordination among existing senior service providers in the Naperville area. The Senior Task Force also improves awareness to seniors of available resources for assistance.
The Naperville & Lisle Townships Triad is a senior organization with a mission to enhance the quality of life of all senior citizens. Triad empowers senior citizens to become more involved in community programs, including crime prevention programs, educational seminars, and implementing means to make the community a safer place for senior citizens.
The Naperville Police Department also partners with AARP for the Smart Driver program. This classroom driver refresher course, designed for drivers age 50 and older, has assisted millions of mature drivers to stay safe. The objective of the course is to help participants drive safer and therefore keep their licenses longer.
Find out more about these programs and partnerships at www.naperville.il.us/ASaferNaper.
Until next month… Stay Aware & Stay Safe!
