Avondale, Buckeye police launch programs for vulnerable residents

PHOENIX — Two West Valley police departments launched separate programs designed to keep vulnerable residents safe earlier this month.

The Buckeye Police Department collaborated with Sundance Active Adult community HOA President James Subjack to create Buckeye Cares, which allows seniors to sign up for weekly check-ins.

Seniors within the city of Buckeye who live alone or are homebound can voluntarily register for the program. Every week at a designated day and time, Buckeye police volunteers will call the enrolled seniors for a wellness check.

According to police, if three calls go unanswered then the volunteer will call the senior’s emergency contact. If the volunteer is still unable to verify their safety, then they or an officer will go to the senior’s home and try to make contact with them.

As part of the program, the seniors do have to agree to have a lock box installed on their property to store an extra set of house keys in.

“It is a program which will reap numerous rewards,” Subjack said in an announcement. “If it saves only one life, it will have forever proven its worth.”

What is Avondale’s program for vulnerable residents?

The Avondale Police Department’s vulnerable resident initiative is community-focused and called the Special Registration Program and is meant to better equip police officers when responding to individuals with autism, mental illness, dementia, Alzheimer’s or who are prone to wandering.

The registration form asks residents or caregivers to provided key details about their loved one as well as provide a photograph.

The information from the form is then sent to Avondale Victim Services, where it will be filed and made available to officers when needed.

The registration form can be filled out and emailed to apdvictimservices@avondaleaz.gov or dropped off in-person at the Avondale Police Department’s Main Station, which is located near Avondale Boulevard and Van Buren Street.

“We care deeply about the well-being of every member of our community,” Avondale Police Chief Memo Espinoza said in a press release. “By proactively gathering important information provided by the families and caregivers of our vulnerable population, our officers will have the tools and information they need to communicate more effectively during encounters with registered individuals.”

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