Strengthening Safety Through Education, Innovation & Community Collaboration
EmPath For Autism speaks at Monroe Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Training
On October 20, 2025, EmPath For Autism’s Board President, Leslie Williams, and Treasurer, Charlie Watson, had the honor of speaking at the Monroe Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) — a powerful initiative dedicated to equipping first responders with the awareness, empathy, and tools needed to safely support individuals experiencing autism-related or mental health crises.
👉 Learn more about Monroe Police CIT
CIT trainings are more than informational sessions — they are life-saving conversations.
They bring law enforcement officers together with care professionals and community leaders to learn how to respond with understanding instead of uncertainty. EmPath was invited to speak on a topic that is unfortunately one of the greatest fears among autism families: elopement.
The Reality Families Live With Every Day
Leslie and Charlie shared eye-opening statistics — including the fact that nearly 50% of children with autism will attempt to wander or elope from a safe space at least once in their lives. These moments happen in seconds. They can unfold silently. And they can escalate into dangerous situations just as quickly.
For parents and caregivers, this isn’t a hypothetical scenario — it’s a constant mental checklist:
Are the doors locked? Is the backyard secured? Will my child bolt if something overwhelms them? Will someone know how to help if they do?
That is why trainings like CIT matter so much. When law enforcement understands the signs, the behaviors, and the communication barriers, they are better prepared to act safely — not reactively.
Introducing JagTag V2 — Designed With Families, For Families
During the session, Leslie and Charlie also shared an exciting update — the upcoming JagTag V2, a next-generation sensory-friendly wearable safety device designed to help prevent wandering, alert caregivers, and support emergency response.
Families interested in being among the first to be notified when the updated device becomes available can join the official JagTag Waitlist here
This upgraded device — expected to launch in early 2026 — is being built with real-world feedback from families, first responders, and autism experts, with the goal of bringing peace of mind back to the people who need it most.
Safety Takes All of Us — And Community Makes It Possible
Before closing, the EmPath team invited attendees to join Bingo B!Z!NGO on Friday, November 15 at Lori’s Roadhouse — a wild, unforgettable 21+ fundraising night featuring bingo, entertainment, a mechanical bull, prizes, music, food and drinks, and more.
100% of proceeds fuel projects like the JagTag, caregiver support programming, and community safety initiatives.
🎟 Get your tickets or donate here
At EmPath, we believe safety is not just a family responsibility — it’s a community responsibility.
And moments like this, where law enforcement and nonprofits stand side-by-side to learn, listen, and collaborate — are how real change begins.
We are deeply grateful to Monroe Police Department for recognizing that preparation is protection — and that understanding is the first step toward saving lives.
Together, we are building a safer, more informed, more compassionate future for families of children with autism — one partnership at a time.