Pascagoula PD equipped with sensory kits to help kids on the spectrum

April is National Autism Awareness Month and the Pascagoula Police Department is bringing awareness by having an autism sensory kit.

The department wanted to make sure officers had the tools to effectively respond to people on the spectrum or with special needs.

The kit includes a weighted blanket, polarized sunglasses, Rubik’s cube, fidget toys, noise cancelling earmuffs, flash cards with pictures, and a dry erase board. Deputy Police Chief Joe Don Cunningham said, “With these items from this kit, that’s what we hope to do is to make sure that person or that child knows that they are safe, that they are going to be taken care of, and that we are going to get them to where they need to be or the help they need.”

At this time, the department only has one sensory kit, but community organizations have offered to make more.