Safety Visit: Montgomery County Police Departments
This week, EmPath For Autism had the privilege of joining the Montgomery County Police Chief’s monthly meeting. Our Board President, Leslie Williams, and Board Treasurer, Charlie Watson, spoke to more than 70 officers and staff about the urgent safety needs facing families affected by autism and developmental disabilities.
We shared the story behind EmPath, our mission to provide resources and support, and the real-life challenges families face—especially when it comes to wandering, or elopement. With 1 in 31 children in the U.S. now diagnosed with autism, and nearly half having a history of elopement, the risk is significant. Children with autism are 160 times more likely to drown than their neurotypical peers, and many are instinctively drawn to water.
To help address this, we introduced the officers to our JagTag—a sensory-friendly, water-resistant tracking band that uses Bluetooth technology with no subscription required. Since launching JagTag V1, we’ve received thousands of applications from families. Now, with JagTag V2 in development, we’re making critical upgrades: improved waterproofing, a locking band, glow-in-the-dark features, customizable sizes, and greater durability.
We also discussed the Blue Envelope Program, an initiative being implemented by many local departments to improve police interactions with individuals with developmental disabilities. This program allows drivers to keep important communication details in a clearly marked blue envelope that officers are trained to recognize—ensuring more thoughtful and informed encounters. We strongly support this program and its potential to make a real difference in safety and understanding.
We are incredibly thankful to the Montgomery County Police Departments for welcoming us and taking the time to learn more about how they can support the autism community. Meaningful partnerships like this create real change and bring us one step closer to a safer, more inclusive future.
Thank you for the opportunity to share our work.
