Parents, guardians or caregivers for loved ones suffering from autism, Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other mental impairments face many challenges, one of which is that at any time that loved one may wander away from home. To facilitate a quick and safe return, the Pearland Police Department is pleased to introduce the Safe Return Program. The Safe Return Program seeks to collect voluntary registrations from parents/guardians/caregivers of  individuals suffering from Autism, Alzheimer's, Dementia, or some other mental/intellectual disability. When seconds count in an emergency situation, the Safe Return Program registry allows first responders to have access to critical information designed to help safely reunite families of registered participants.

How does the Safe Return Program work?

Participation in the Safe Return Program is completely voluntary and free. An application must be submitted to the Pearland Police Department annually. Eligibility includes:

• Participant or guardian is a resident of Pearland
• Participant attends school/daycare/assisted living within the Pearland Police Department jurisdiction
• Participant may be unable to communicate basic personal information due to a diagnosed medical disorder.
• Participant is prone to wander away or runaway from guardians, residence or school due to a diagnosed medical disorder.

Parents/guardians/caregivers voluntarily submit a completed application and photo with all required medical information. 

Enrollment

To enroll, download and print this form. Complete the entire form. If an area is not applicable please indicate N/A. Once completed, return to:

Pearland Police Department - Records Division
2555 Cullen Parkway Pearland, Texas 77581

If you have any questions, contact Ryden Cohen at 281.997.4217

Frequently Asked Questions

How will the information be stored?

The application information and a current photo will be stored in our secure record database. Juvenile and health information will not be released to the public and is utilized solely for the purpose of providing better service for the registrant and the families involved during times of crisis.

Do I need to update the registration?

Registrants will receive an email reminder once a year to update registration information and photographs. It will be the registrant’s responsibility to send in updated information.

How will this registry help if my child/dependent adult goes missing?

If the individual goes missing and is reported by the parent, guardian, or caregiver information about physical appearance, the most likely places where he or she would go to, as well as triggers, stimulants, and de-escalation techniques will be available to every police officer in the area who is looking for the missing person. If the individual has not been reported and is incapable of effectively communicating his/her name to an officer, officers may use the individual's physical descriptors to search applicable registry photos, allowing officers to make a more timely identification.

What guarantees do we have that the interaction between our child/dependent adult and the police will be positive once he/she is registered?

Having an individual registered with the program will not guarantee a positive outcome should a participant wander from their home or care facility. Registration seeks to sensitize officers to potential communication issues and provide identifying information that will assist with a dissemination of Endangered Missing Persons Alerts. Simply having a person registered with the registry is not going to change police responses in every instance involving an individual with a mental or intellectual disability. Police will act according to procedure and depending on circumstances.