Can a sticker help in certain police responses? Whittier PD thinks so – Whittier Daily News

A new program launched by the Whittier Police Department offers stickers to households with members who may have special needs.

The blue stickers read “A person with special needs lives here,” are available at the Whittier Police Department service counter and are also available to residents of Santa Fe Springs.

“This program aims to provide officers with early information about the presence of individuals with special needs they may encounter when responding to resolve a situation at a residence,” said Chief Aviv Bar. “This information helps officers adjust their approach and communication methods to ensure a peaceful resolution. It also alerts the officers to consider the involvement of additional resources prior to arrival, such as our Mental Health Evaluation Team, which includes a county mental health clinician assigned to our station.”

Each sticker comes with a QR code linking to an optional online form where residents can share additional information about the individual’s needs. This information is entered into the dispatch system so officers have it in advance, helping to improve emergency response, according to Margo Diamond, Whittier community engagement manager.

The costs of the program are minimal, Diamond added, covering the printing of stickers and the design of the associated form. Advertising efforts were managed through the police department’s social media platforms, also keeping expenses low.

While police officers respond to a wide variety of calls for service, it can be hard to track calls specifically involving individuals with special needs.

“However, officers and our Mental Health Evaluation Team have observed a steady increase in interactions with individuals with special needs, underscoring the value of this program in Whittier and Santa Fe Springs,” Diamond said.

The program is on its second week and is fully active and implemented. Other police departments in Downey, Seal Beach, and Culver City have offered this program. Its implementation shows Whittier’s commitment to serving every member of the community with care and understanding, Mayor Joe Vinatieri said.

“By offering these voluntary stickers and making essential information accessible to our first responders, we’re helping families feel safer and better supported in critical situations,” he added. “It’s initiatives like this that strengthen our community and ensure Whittier remains a place where everyone’s needs are respected and protected.”