A recent incident in Montgomery County highlighted the critical role technology and prompt action can play in locating missing individuals with autism. According to a report by the Montgomery County Department of Police, a 21-year-old non-verbal autistic man who had gone missing last Saturday was found safe within minutes, thanks in part to the Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC). The young man was reported to have run out of their apartment on the 11500 block of Lockwood Drive.
Deploying an innovative use of surveillance technology, RTIC staff managed to quickly to track the individual's movements via camera systems. They observed him crossing Lockwood Drive and heading toward the White Oak Shopping Center shortly after the incident was reported. On-the-ground officers were kept in the loop with updated location information over the radio. One officer located the young man in a grocery store at approximately 3:55 p.m., a brief seven minutes after dispatch. He was subsequently reunited with his father.
The efficiency of this operation demonstrates the critical role that real-time information sharing can play in ensuring the safety of at-risk community members. The MCPD’s RTIC operates as a centralized hub, enabling the department to swiftly access surveillance footage, intelligence data, and other pertinent information to provide fast evidence delivery and assistance in identifying individuals, whether they be suspects in a crime or, as in this case, a missing person, as detailed by the Montgomery County Department of Police.
With more than 30 people on the autism spectrum found in the past month alone, the Montgomery County Police are reminding the public of the importance of immediately calling 911 when a vulnerable individual goes missing. This case sets a precedent for not only the effectiveness of MCPD’s RTIC but also highlights the work done by the department’s Autism/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Unit, which aims to provide additional resources and outreach for those in need. For those seeking more information, the unit’s Facebook page is available for resources and support.
