The Knoxville Police Department officially announced the launch of its Take Me Home program, a new service designed to improve safety for individuals with developmental or cognitive disabilities, on Thursday afternoon
Take Me Home is a completely free and voluntary registry that will allow parents or guardians to enroll individuals in their care with cognitive or developmental disabilities.
The registry will be managed by the KPD Special Crimes Unit to assist first responders in cases when those individuals are found wandering alone or go missing.
“Police officers routinely respond to situations when individuals with autism or dementia go missing. In those cases, time is of the absolute essence,” Chief of Police Paul Noel said. “The Take Me Home registry will save valuable time and allow pertinent information to be shared with officers in the field and the public much more quickly.”
Any individual with a cognitive or developmental disability who lives, works or goes to school within Knoxville city limits is eligible for the Take Me Home registry. Individuals can be submitted to the registry by family members or legal guardians. All submissions for the Take Me Home registry will be reviewed for approval by a member of the KPD Special Crimes Unit.
Information submitted to the registry, which includes emergency contact information, a detailed description of the individual, and an updated photo, is voluntary, confidential and only accessible to first responders and public safety personnel.
“This program offers peace of mind and a safety net for the worst case scenario,” Chief Noel said. “When an at-risk person goes missing or is found alone, our goal is to resolve that situation quickly and safely. The Take Me Home registry will give our officers an added resource to make that possible.”
Any parent, caretaker or guardian wanting to register a loved one with the Take Me Home program, or learn more information about the program, can visit www.knoxvilletn.gov/takemehome
The Knoxville Take Me Home program is funded by the Kevin and Avonte Grant provided through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance.
