Almont Police announce partnership with S.A.V.E.S.

ALMONT — The Almont Police Department has joined the S.A.V.E.S. (Special Needs, Autism, Vulnerable Person, Elderly, Safety) Project, partnering with regional law enforcement across Genesee, Macomb, and Oakland counties to improve interactions between first responders and residents with cognitive or developmental challenges.

Designed to enhance safety for both officers and community members, the program trains officers to handle calls involving individuals with unique needs using heightened empathy, patience, and specialized communication strategies.

“As Police Chief, I believe the S.A.V.E.S. project is an important resource for our community and for the officers who serve it,” said Almont Police Chief Daniel Willis. 

“During an emergency or stressful encounter, communication can sometimes be difficult, particularly for individuals living with autism, dementia, developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, or other cognitive challenges. This program reinforces what we want our community to know: our police department is committed to treating every person with dignity, patience, understanding, and respect.”

Village and township residents interested in enrolling can pick up an emergency profile packet at the police department. Once completed, the information is entered into a central database and linked to the individual’s address in the 911 dispatch system, providing responding officers with crucial context before arriving on scene.

Further details about the initiative are available at savesproject.com or on the organization’s Facebook page.