Local Police Department adjusts their station to be ‘sensory friendly’
A Boston police department has adapted its station in a way to hopefully better serve the community.
By Addison Brewer-Hay
To better serve community members with invisible disabilities such as autism, PTSD, and ADHD, the Tewksbury Police Department is trying to become more sensory-friendly. Partnering with the nonprofit KultureCity, the police chief Ryan Colombus, expressed his excitement about the recent collaboration. “Our training with KultureCity will help all of our officers communicate more effectively in situations involving people on the autism spectrum, with PTSD, or a host of other invisible disabilities,” he stated.
KultureCity is an Alabama-based organization that trains law enforcement officers in sensory-friendly actions and responses when serving community members with unseen disabilities. According to the police, KultureCity has trained more than 275 law enforcement agencies in its 10-year history.
KultureCity expresses on its website that “Whether a First Responder has training in how to approach someone with invisible disabilities can make a vital difference at crucial times.” By working with first responders, inclusivity can be better enforced throughout the neighborhood.
Along with their training, KultureCity will also provide sensory-friendly kits to the officers. Including items such as a feelings thermometer, which can help one communicate difficult emotions without needing to speak, allows officers to apply their learning with effective tools. According to Boston.com, The kit will also include noise-canceling headphones, a weighted lap pad, and fidget toys.
This new addition to a Boston station moves the city in a progressive direction to serve citizens of all backgrounds.