Inland Regional Center proudly supports the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Safe Return Program. This program helps law enforcement officers during interactions with community members who have disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Down syndrome, and other developmental and intellectual disabilities. The goal is to ensure the safe return home of individuals with special needs.
Families can voluntarily sign up their loved ones online for the Safe Return program, giving law enforcement access to important information during critical times. This improves communication and provides officers with immediate access to necessary details about the enrolled individual, saving time and promoting accuracy during interactions.
The Safe Return Program provides law enforcement with emergency contact information, detailed physical descriptions, home addresses, a photograph, known routines, favorite places, and any special needs of the individual. This information helps officers communicate with, locate, or handle emergencies involving an individual with special needs who might be missing. The information can also be shared with all field units as needed.
The program is available to residents within the jurisdiction of the Sheriff’s Department, covering the following cities and unincorporated areas: Apple Valley, Barstow/Trona, Big Bear, Big Bear Lake, Central (unincorporated San Bernardino), Chino Hills, Colorado River, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Hesperia, Highland, Loma Linda, Morongo Basin, Needles, Rancho Cucamonga, Twentynine Palms, Twin Peaks, Victor Valley, Victorville, Yucaipa, and Yucca Valley.
To enroll a loved one, you’ll need an email address. Visit Register (sbcounty.gov) to create an account and enroll your loved one. Be thorough and provide a good photo. You cannot complete the enrollment without all the necessary information and a photograph.
Make sure the photo is:
- Current
- A close-up of the face
- Of a single person
- Well-lit with good colors
- Not sideways or turned
After enrolling, keep your username and login information to update details regularly with recent photos and any changes in conditions or physical description. If you can’t enroll online, you can just bring the information to your local Sheriff’s station for help.
Law enforcement can use this system when they encounter an individual who seems to have special needs and cannot communicate. Officers can use geolocation technology to search for participants nearby even if there isn’t a missing person report. This helps them find information about where the person might live, a contact person, a photograph, and other useful details like calming techniques or communication tips. This ensures the individual has a safe and pleasant experience and can return home quickly.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department currently uses the system. However, the department’s goal is to make it accessible to all law enforcement within the county. If you have any questions about the program, don’t hesitate to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Public Affairs Division, at 909-387-3700.
Safe Return Program – San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (sbcounty.gov)
Safe Return Program Brochure English/Spanish (PDF)
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