Premise Alert for Police & Individuals with disabilities

The Premise Alert System created by Police Chief Kevin McCarthy of East Earl Township and Susan F. Rzucidlo of Chester County. Together they gifted this program to the state to use as a safety program that supports individuals living with disabilities as well as Police Officers. This program allows families to voluntarily notify the police and other first responders about their special circumstances. It may be a child or adult with autism, developmental delays, or mental retardation who is known to wander. It may be someone with rare or complex medical issues that require special handling. It could be an Alzheimer patient who wanders. The Premise Alert System also helps police departments know who in their community has a special need and what situation they may be going into when called to a particular address. This form will be distributed to families through case managers at the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation as well as schools, community groups and legislators offices.

The Pennsylvania Police Chiefs Association as well as the Pennsylvania State Police Department, PA NENA, PA Dept of Public Welfare, PA ARC, and a wide variety of disability advocacy groups have endorsed the Premise Alert System across the state. It is our hope that each Police Department in the state will participate in this program as well. It is designed to support both Police Officers and individuals with disabilities.

The Premise Alert System assists Police Departments in building good community relationships, gives officers a tool to get to know the members of the community who may need additional assistance and provides them advance knowledge of the type of situation they are walking into when going to a specific address. The Premise Alert System helps residents with special needs build relationships with police departments and live safer in their chosen communities.

This program has been replicated police departments, organizations, towns and counties around the nation. Illinois has passed a law to provide the same service throughout the state. It is our hope to see this system shared and utilized.