Opinions requested

[srz]

I know that is a dangerous title but I wasn't sure how to put this question in just a few words. Some background. For the past few years I've headed up efforts to thank police officers for their work during National Police Week. That was all tied into to the work I've done to educate officers on autism and distribution communication boards and a Premise Alert program. Families and autism organizations have taken food and letters of thanks to departments all around our county.

With the terrible events that occured in Lancaster County (the neighbhoring county and just a few minutes from here) with the shooting in the Amish School house. I've had families contacting me about should we do something for the State Police Barracks that handled the situation. Many of our families have become far more police sensitive and feel that we should do something to let the officers know they are also thought of through the crisis. They witnessed and cared for those children and the families.
I just don't know what to do if anything or what to tell the families that have called me.

Any thoughts?

Susan

[mcsap]

PA does have CISD , Critical Incident Stress Debriefing. It is virtually mandatory for Fire, EMS and Police involved in such an event. It is handled by specially trained peers.

I do think that some sort of recognition is appropriate for those involved but ESPECIALLY for the troopers that broke through the windows trying to save the children but found that they were " late". I can only imagine the stress that this has caused them.

[suzanne1020U.S.]

I'm repping you for your efforts to educate the public on autism
and wish you the best of luck on your journey of good work. Hugs.

[srz]

Thank you for the rep. The work is very rewarding and it seems to be making a difference for families and officers. I see a growing appreciation for police officers from families and officers are telling me they are feeling better prepared when they deal with individuals with many disabilities.

Susan

[Joeyd6]

My most prized posession that I have earned as a police officer was a picture (of me and a kid who came in for a tour of the station unnanounced) and a picture he drew me. I had it laminated and hung on my locker and now at home.

Nothing like a personalized item from a kid.

[gooddawg]

yup Rep on it's way

[jamez]

Ditto.

[Babysmamadrama]

My little guy has autism and I also appreciate the effort you do. A fellow named Dennis Debauldt, former LEO, puts out newsletters and videos on the subject.

Rep sent.

[srz]

I do a lot of work with Dennis Debbaudt. He's not a form LE though people often think he is and many times places he speaks puts that as his bio information. He is a PI and a former journalist. He shares the communication board I created whenever he speaks and I think the world of him. He is the leading trainer for LE on autism in the world. His information is top notch. He has been beating down the doors with the autism community for years before they started to recognize that they needed to address the safety issues of our children. It's great to see him
finally being heard by ASA and other national groups.

He's coming out with a new video for EMS and Fire Fighters soon. His video is the one that PHiladelphia PD put into this years ACt 180 training. I worked with Paul Flammer before he retired to get it included. Great guy it was a wonderful boost to be able to tell smaller departments that Philadelphia included it. It really helped them accept it in.

susan

[srz]

Just to follow up on this thread. I did get to Lancaster PSP today and As I always say, "Any day you can shock a cop is a good day. http://forums.realpolice.net/images/smilies/biggrin.gif Today I shocked a whole troop of officers. Police Officers see the worst of the worst in people and the only way to shock officers is to be kind. Today a whole group of people were kind to the Lancaster PSP. The response from families to provide food and thanks to the Lancaster PSP was outstanding. So much money was provided and it purchased 3 HUGE boxes of a wide variety of foods, a bushel of assorted apples fresh from the orchard and 8 cases of soda, water and drinks. 3 classes of students from Pike Creek Christian and an AWANA program made cards for the officers and remembered them in prayers all this week. That along with sharply printed business cards that said:

POLICE OFFICERS

For as long as people show valor
in their actions to protect others,
there will be hope for our society.

Thank you for all you do each and every day

(thank you Valor for the quote)


The officer that helped me carry in the items was stunned and said very little other than THANK YOU, This is so nice of you, and FOOD is great! It was really a quick in and out visit. I didn't even go back. Which is fine they don't know me and the goal was to get the food and cards to them. On a personal note I was really pleased to see on their protective glass window that faces the entrance they have a copy of the communication board I created was posted in a way that they can pull it off and use it as needed. I told the trooper that " That's mine." She looked at me funny. I said "I created that" she said WOW that's great I can't tell you how much it helps me" I said Thank you. It was good to see it in use. It took a lot of work to get it out to all the police officers in PA.

srz

[Kate]

Susan,

I got chills reading your post. Kudos to you for your kindness and compassion--and coming from a fellow Pennsylvanian makes it that much sweeter. Rep sent.

[srz]

Thank you Kate,

It was just a good thing to do and I was overwhelmed how many friends and families joined in to say thank you to the officers. I delivered the food alone but the boxes were filled with cards and prayers said for the entire troop.

thanks so much from SE PA

srz

[Joeyd6]

Ditto on the kudos! I assure you, today you made lasting difference in those officers day!

[jmac_52]

I didnt' realize I tried to rep you twice. Good job!