SNAP (Special Needs Awareness Program)

Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department's Special Needs Awareness Program (SNAP) offers assistance to our community members with special needs. 

Assistance

The Special Needs Awareness Program (SNAP) is voluntary and confidential. It is designed to provide First Responders with important information when responding to calls that involve individuals who may have a memory disorder, hearing impairment, autism or other behavioral disability.

Participation

Participation in S.N.A.P. is completely voluntary and confidential. Family members determine if their loved one would benefit from participating in S.N.A.P. by filling out the S.N.A.P. application, all relevant information would be collected in a confidential database that would only be disclosed to police officers and appropriate emergency personnel via the LGMSPD Dispatch Center. This could occur when responding to an associated address or if contact is made with the individual, alerting officers to accommodations that may need to be considered during the incident. Also available is a S.N.A.P. bracelet, supplied free of charge, that when worn will assist field personnel in recognizing program participants.

SNAP Brochure

Enrollment

If you have a family member with a special need that would benefit from sharing crucial information with first responders, please consider enrolling them in S.N.A.P. 

The caregiver completes the application which will include the individual’s physical description, psychological description, medical condition, past experiences and an updated photo. Once the application has been reviewed and approved, the individual will be offered a Special Needs Alert Bracelet with a receipt number unique to their bracelet. There is not a fee for this program. 

Snap Program Form

What happens next?

The information and photo provided will be entered into our records management system. When a call for service is placed to the residence provided, the name of the subject is used or the Vehicles Plate number is run, an alert will be given to dispatch notifying them of a person with special needs may be involved in the call. The picture and information will be provided to the Officer so they are made aware of the subject and any special instructions on how to interact with that person.

We hope this program will better help the citizens of our community and help improve our interactions with those who have special needs.

If you would like more information about this program please contact Jrose@losgatosca.gov or call 408-354-6853.