KV Police Launch Vulnerable Persons Registry

Police in the Kennebecasis Valley are launching a new registry to help protect vulnerable citizens in their communities.

It allows caregivers of vulnerable people to submit vital information to be entered into the force’s internal database.

Police and other first responders will have immediate access to the database if they get a call involving the person.

“When we’re talking about vulnerable persons, there are specific things we ask that might be relevant that may help us locate somebody quickly,” said Insp. Anika Becker with the Kennebecasis Regional Police Force.

“For example, if they like carnivals or if they’re attracted to water, that might help us narrow down a search area.”

A vulnerable person, according to the force, is someone who “may exhibit patterns of behaviour that may pose a danger to themselves or others” due to a medical, mental health or physical condition.

Examples of vulnerable people include someone with Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorder, or an acquired brain injury.

Becker said the force started an Alzheimer’s registry a few years ago and this new initiative will be an expansion of it.

“That old system was a hard-copy system,” she said. “We want to do everything digitally now so more people can see it at once and it can be disseminated easier to the officers.”

The police force will hold an open house at its headquarters Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, where people can learn more about the program or register a loved one.

“They’re welcome to bring any vulnerable person they wish to bring,” Becker said. “Some people would like to do that so they get an opportunity to meet police officers so they know police officers are there to help and are not intimidating.”

Residents who are unable to make it to the open house can also fill out a form on the force’s website.