April is National Autism Awareness Month and the Police Department is launching a patch program to help support the cause.
The department will roll out a Police Autism Patch Program on April 1. The program will consist of selling limited edition patches for $10 apiece, with all proceeds donated to the Northeast Arc Autism Center in Danvers
Lynnfield resident Susan Parziale and Captain Chris DeCarlo are spearheading the initiative. When she became aware of the success of programs in Reading, Braintree, and Stoneham a few years ago, Parziale said she initiated a discussion with the department about implementing a similar program in Lynnfield. She said she is excited about being able to educate the public about autism and will, once again, be posting daily messages about autism facts on her Facebook page.
“The parade is always so exciting going through the town with everything decorated in blue,” she said. “The way I take it is that if someone, even just one person, didn’t know about autism, then we have educated that person and allowed them to know a little more about it. That’s why I also post messages every day throughout the month of April on my Facebook page. It’s all about helping people be more informed about what autism is.”
To purchase a patch, mail or drop off a self-addressed envelope at the Lynnfield Police Department, 55 Summer St., Lynnfield, Mass., 01940. Include a check for $10, payable to the Northeast Arc Autism Support Center.
The department kicks off the month with its annual Light it Up Blue night on Sunday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the parking lot next to the Town Hall and Lynnfield Police headquarters at 55 Summer St.
On April 16, the annual Community Workout, hosted by Vault Training, will be held at the Lynnfield Police Academy, 425 Walnut St. behind the MarketStreet Lynnfield shopping center.
The department caps off the month with the Autism Awareness/Accepted Car Parade at 10 a.m. The parade route has yet to be finalized. The North Shore Old Car Club will supply the vehicles.
For questions about the patch program or other Autism Awareness Month events, contact Officer Scott Fitzemeyer at sfitzmeyer@lynnfieldpolice.net or Officer Gianfranco Pisano at gpisano@lynnfieldpice.net.
