The CAREalert program aims to enhance the safety and well-being of individuals with special needs by providing law enforcement officers with critical information during emergency responses.
By registering loved ones with special needs, community members can help make information available to officers, such as specific limitations, communication preferences, and potential triggers. This proactive approach helps to prevent misunderstandings and enables law enforcement to provide individuals with the appropriate care and support during interactions when appropriate and when this information is available.
The CAREalert program fosters a stronger relationship between the community and law enforcement by promoting understanding and empathy. By maintaining open lines of communication, CAREalert empowers families to advocate for their loved ones’ needs and enables first responders to provide the best possible support in times of crisis. Through this initiative, we strive to create a safer, more inclusive community where everyone feels valued and protected.
Questions? See our FAQ below.
Q. How does CAREalert work?
A. Once registered with CAREalert your residence, and your loved one, will be flagged through dispatch as a CAREalert member. Responding officers will be able to review the information you have provided to prepare and assist them with their response.
Q. Which agencies participate with CAREAlert?
A. CAREalert is currently supported by Santa Cruz PD, Capitola PD, Watsonville PD, Scotts Valley PD, and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
Q. Does CAREalert cost anything?
A. No. The program is completely free and voluntary.
Q. What happens after I register a loved one with CAREalert?
A. You will be contacted by a law enforcement officer to verify and validate the entry before the individual is added to the CAREalert system.
Q. How long will someone remain on the CAREalert registry?
A. Entries will be validated and renewed on a yearly basis. You may ask to be removed at any time.
Q. Who is this information shared with?
A. Information in the CAREalert system may be shared with dispatch, sworn law enforcement, mental health liaisons and police records clerks. Information in the CAREalert system may also be disclosed pursuant to a court order.
Q. Can you guarantee that this information will be made available to responding law enforcement?
A. While we strive to get this information out to our responding officers, please be aware that due to factors that may be out of our control, this information may not always make it to law enforcement.
Q. I have more questions, who can I speak with?
A. For any inquiries regarding the program, contact carealert@santacruzcountyca.gov.