'Take Me Home' bumper stickers in JoCo signal police to watch for individuals with special needs

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Advertisement 'Take Me Home' bumper stickers in JoCo signal police to watch for individuals with special needs The stickers are free, and in high demand. Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A new program to help children and adults with cognitive disorders in Johnson County starts with bumper stickers.It's a sticker that tells police someone in the car might have special needs, and is a signal to them that they might need to be extra patient.The stickers are free, and in high demand.In Johnson County, Kansas they tell police that you or a loved one has special needs and may not respond to verbal commands."We're here to work for the most vulnerable, to protect them and make sure somebody's not taking advantage of them," said Sgt. Craig Walion with the the Johnson County Sheriff's Department.A parent we talked to says the sticker helps put his mind at ease."Peace of mind knowing that there's another set of eyes watching out of him," said Eric Wright.Wright's son Jake has a cognitive disability. He uses the program called 'Take Me Home.' "If he does get lost, or something happens, you've got that extra layer, somebody watching out for him, that knows where he belongs," said Wright. The 'Take Me Home' program is a free voluntary database that residents in Johnson County can opt-in for.The newest part of the program - diamond shaped stickers for you car or home. They serve as a visual heads up for police that someone inside has a cognitive disability. "We're always looking to grow and expand ideas to find a way to make people's lives a little bit better," said Walion. The program benefits people with Autism, Alzheimer's, or other cognitive disabilities."This program will help them get home safely," said Walion, "And help mom and dad sleep better at night knowing that everything is going to be alright." The sheriff's office starting handing out those stickers last week - so far they've already given out 700. And, they're ordering more.You can pick up those stickers at several Johnson County Sheriff's Office locations. And you can sign up for the 'Take Me Home' database online. For more information, click HERE.