EVANGELINE PARISH, La. (KLFY) — Here in Evangeline Parish the sheriff’s office is now implementing their autism safety program, a program which Sheriff Charles Guillory has been passionate about starting since his first day in office.

“I didn’t realize the exact percentage of autistic persons in the parish, it seemed like there’s more than I really thought. I’ve been getting several phone calls that they’re glad we put this program together,” said Guillory.

The program is simple; the parent of guardian of a person with autism must have a written diagnosis from their primary physician and bring it to the sheriff’s office. From there, the sheriff’s office provides a sticker that can be placed on a vehicle or the front door of a residence as well as an ID card for the person with autism.

“It’ll have their picture on it and explain, I may communicate and behave differently, I am autistic and it’s going to have a hole with a clipboard and on the back with their name, and emergency contact person. And we’re actually going to flag our system that that person has an autistic child or person, that way, when officers happen to be calls to that resident, they already knew ahead of time,” said Guillory.

While flagging the residence in their system, Guillory says deputies are also receiving additional training on how to property communicate with a person with autism and adapt in situations where the person may get loud or not want to be touched.

With communication being a vital part of effective law enforcement, Guillory says this program is essential to ensure everyone in the parish is treated with respect.

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“It’s really misunderstood a lot, and that’s what we’re trying to do educate the public, number one. And of course, educate my officers and they’ll know ahead of time. That’s why I’m encouraging everybody that does have an autistic child or an autistic adult to come in,” said Guillory.

Once a parent or guardian of someone with autism has acquired all the correct paperwork from their physician, they can pick up their sticker and their ID card right here at the sheriff’s office.

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