For Immediate Release

Monday, April 8, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Newburyport Police Expand H.E.L.P.S. Program to Assist Those with Autism 

NEWBURYPORT — City Marshal Mark Murray is pleased to share that the Newburyport Police Department has expanded a program that helps officers locate residents who are prone to wandering and becoming lost in recognition of Autism Awareness Month.

The Newburyport Police Help Every Lost Person to Safety (H.E.L.P.S.) program prepares officers with useful information including a person’s name, address, medical conditions, and a photo should that individual wander and go missing.

The free, confidential, and optional program has previously focused on elderly individuals at risk of wandering, and has been expanded this April to help those with autism.

“H.E.L.P.S. has been incredibly effective in assisting us with locating missing individuals quickly, and as Autism Awareness Month began this year it made sense for us to expand the program to include everyone,” Marshal Murray said. “If you’re the family member or caretaker of an individual that might benefit from this program, we encourage you to sign up or reach out to the police department to learn more about how this could be beneficial.”

Family members and caretakers who would like to add an individual to the program can do so sending a completed informational form and photo by email to [email protected] or by mail to Newburyport Police Department c/o Off. Sinclair at 4 Green St., Newburyport, MA 01950.

The informational form for the program can be accessed by clicking here.

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