Concord Police Participate in Autism Patch Fundraiser

CONCORD, MA — The Concord Police Department is honoring Autism Awareness Month by raising awareness and outreach to community members with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The department will join several other police departments in wearing and selling Autism Awareness month patches.

Officers will wear the patches every Friday throughout April.

Residents can buy patches for $10 by contacting Sgt. Timothy Landers at tlanders@concordma.gov. Proceeds from the sale of patches will be donated to MinuteMan ARC.

“It’s important as a Department that we be inclusive and meet the needs of all of our residents,” Police Chief Joseph O’Connor said. “Thank you to the Concord Police Relief Association for organizing this fundraiser, and we hope you will support this worthy cause.”

This fundraiser is one of several programs the department will be taking part in throughout April to help raise awareness about Autism.

On April 2, the Concord police will participate in “Light It Up Blue,” a nationwide initiative to mark the start of National Autism Awareness Month and celebrate World Awareness Day. At 7:30 p.m., a dispatcher will announce to all patrols who are not handling an active call to pull to the side of the road and activate their cruiser’s blue lights to raise awareness of autism.

Blue lights will be placed in a station window throughout the month as well. During April, officers will be reviewing their annual training on how to recognize and interact with someone on the autism spectrum.

Autism awareness seatbelts are available in the department year-round.