The Graceville Police Department partners with resident to launch “Respond with Care” initiative

Chief Jason Barley and the Graceville Police Department are launching a new initiative to aid in critical care and emergency situations. The Police Department is using “Respond with Care” stickers particularly aimed at helping individuals with special needs. The stickers will be available to individuals and families of those with special needs, to provide crucial information to first responders in critical instances.

The “Respond with Care” initiative is spearheaded by Altha Police Department’s Reserve Captain, Officer Lee Keith. Officer Keith and his wife, Reese are Graceville citizens that have dedicated their lives to serving others, especially children and individuals with special needs. Officer Keith started working on the concept last year. “This special needs decal emphasizes the importance of first responders being prepared to make necessary accommodations so that first responders and citizens can have a smoother and safer experience in emergency situations,” explained Office Keith.

With a focus on smaller law enforcement agencies, Officer Keith has brought together Chief Weeks of Sneads, Chief Baggett of Altha, and Chief Barley of Graceville to make this program a success. Together, these law enforcement agencies are utilizing a creative means of communication “that will remind law enforcement to take the time to ensure understanding that allows them to remain objective and make the necessary accommodations to provide due care in critical situations,” expressed Officer Keith.

These stickers can be placed on a vehicle window, bumper, or at the entrance of a home that could potentially involve somebody with special needs. The primary purpose of these stickers are to indicate the presence of a special needs person or persons at a location if emergency care is necessary. The initiative quickly provides First Responders with necessary information that is crucial to expedite emergency care to special needs patients. First Responders will have the opportunity to easily adjust their practices to provide compassionate critical care to people that might respond atypically in an emergency.

Anyone that has a family member that has special needs that would like to take part in this initiative can obtain a “Respond with Care” sticker from the Graceville Police Department. For more information, call the Graceville Police Department at 850-263-3944, or visit them in person at 5348 Cliff Street in Graceville.