The Gulfport Police Department will host Autism Safety Day on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to noon at the department headquarters, 2220 15th Street, the department said in a Facebook post.
The post said attendees can expect games, vehicles, refreshments and “plenty of fun for everyone.” The message included hashtags promoting the event, including #GulfportProud, #CommunityPolicing and #AutismAwarenessMonth.
The event comes during April, which is recognized as Autism Awareness Month, a time when communities hold activities to increase understanding and highlight safety and inclusion for people on the autism spectrum. Police departments and local agencies often use such events to provide resources, familiarize residents with emergency responders and strengthen community relationships.
The Gulfport event gives families a chance to interact with officers and emergency vehicles in a supportive setting and may help reduce anxiety in future encounters with public safety personnel. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
