New registry to help vulnerable people in Calgary

The Calgary City Police Service has launched a new tool to help in emergencies. The Vulnerable Person Self-Registry allows people with a physical, mental or medical condition that may require special attention in an emergency to voluntarily submit personal information, including name, date of birth, physical description, contact information, methods of approach or communication, photo and description of any threatening medical conditions. First responders can access the data through the city’s 9-1-1 centre, when a vulnerable person is in danger or distress. The information must be updated by the person or their caretaker at least once a year or it will be removed from the database. Police say the information will not be used as part of criminal investigations. The database is an initiative by the Diversity Resource Team to better serve citizens with disabilities, and was implemented following consultations with various community organizations and units within the police service.