R.E.A.C.H.

Nassau County Executive Mangano

& Police Commisioner Mulvey Announce:

NCPD to Hold R.E.A.C.H. Registration Event at

LI’s “Walk Now for Autism Speaks” this Sunday

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey announced today that the NCPD would be conducting a R.E.A.C.H. Program Registration Event at Long Island’s “Walk Now for Autism Speaks” fundraising event that is being held this Sunday, October 3rd at Jones Beach Field 5. The event was coordinated by Autism Speaks, which is the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.

The R.E.A.C.H. (Return Every Adult and Child Home) Program is a Nassau County Police Department program that keeps the photographs, contact information, medical background and other pertinent details of registrants diagnosed with a cognitive disorder (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia, Autism, etc.). This information is stored on a secure website, created and overseen only by the NCPD.

If a R.E.A.C.H. registrant where to go missing, the NCPD could instantly send out all information to every precinct, squad, patrol car and villages. A separate notification would also be sent to the media through Silver Alert.

There are times when you might not realize that someone has wandered away. While on 24/7 patrol, officers can review the database of registrants’ photographs and information. If officers spot a registrant far from home, heading towards public transportation or looking confused or lost, they can return them safely.

“The Silver Alert Program has been very successful here in Nassau County,” said County Executive Mangano. “The R.E.A.C.H. Program takes it a step further by having key information and a visual image on hand to disseminate when needed. That is why I am urging family and guardians of individuals that have been diagnosed with a cognitive disorder to come down to the NCPD’s booth this Sunday with their loved one and register with the R.E.A.C.H. Program.”

“The NCPD relies heavily on intelligence led policing,” said Commissioner Mulvey. “Having this information at our fingertips is an essential tool that will enable us to cut down on notification time and minimize search areas which will lead to reuniting loved ones in a more expeditious fashion.”

Interested parties who can not attend Sunday’s event are urged to call the NCPD’s Asset Forfeiture Unit at (516) 573-5775, Monday through Friday 9:00.am. to 4:00p.m. to set up an appointment. Registration is free and takes just 10 minutes.