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The Elk Grove Police Department hosted an open house Wednesday night for special needs individuals and their families to check out the police station, an information booth and the vehicles on display.
Benita Ayala was there with her son, Christopher, who has special needs.
"To have all the vehicles out, it gives an idea of what they do and what could happen and what it sounds like when they come into your community," Ayala said. "That's a good example to teach them."
Ayala wants to teach her son how a police officer could help him in an emergency and what they look like.
"To be honest, I don't know if he could see the difference," Ayala said. "But the goal is to keep teaching him the difference of when they're in plain clothes, like you and I, or when they're in uniform."
The Elk Grove Police Department said it was careful in organizing the event. There were no sirens or lights because of possible sensory issues.
"This is a low key, positive environment," said Jason Jimenez with the Elk Grove Police Department. "We get to interact when they're not in crisis or having a meltdown. For them as individuals with developmental disabilities, this interaction tonight is huge."
The police department also put out a new form to help police in an emergency. It's a developmental disability and special needs emergency packet and the people can fill out calming methods, individual's favorite discussion topics, and any sensory issues.
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