C.A.R.E. (Children and Resident Encounters Program) is a registry program established by the Carolina Beach Police Department to assist citizens who have special needs and is designed to promote communication while providing first responders with quick access to critical information about a person with special needs (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia, etc.).

C.A.R.E. can provide first responders with emergency contact information, detailed physical descriptors, known routines, favorite attractions/activities, and/or any other specific characteristics of an individual they may encounter.

Due to the increase in our town’s population, as well as the increase in visitors to our community, this voluntary program offers many positive, proactive measures to provide the best services to our citizens. There is no cost to participate in the program.

The program uses information gathered from the participant and their family which will then be stored at the Carolina Beach Police Department. This information is for law enforcement purposes only and will allow police officers to follow up with participants and their families, provide vital information to all responding agencies, and to assist law enforcement during emergencies such as a hurricane, evacuation, flooding, or a report of a missing endangered person.

It is our hope that having this information readily available will facilitate our response and minimize situations of risk for the individual, as well as the risk to those intervening. Awareness and education of first responders about disabilities increases our ability to provide an appropriate response.

The C.A.R.E. Program improves community policing services and increases the sense of security among residents. Having pertinent information immediately available to responding officers can reduce and potentially eliminate misinterpretations and miscommunications thus fulfilling our goal of “service to others” by providing the most efficient, professional, and courteous citizen-oriented service to the residents of Carolina Beach.

Friends and family members may also refer a person for enrollment. Contact would then be made with the individual, or their caretaker, to determine if they are interested in participating in the program and completion of the registration process.

Please assist us in our efforts to be adequately prepared by completing the C.A.R.E. Special Needs Questionnaire and C.A.R.E. Release Waiver and returning it to the Carolina Beach Police Department.  The application packet can be obtained at the Carolina Beach Police Department Front Desk, the Town of Carolina Beach Water & Billing Department, the Carolina Beach Rec Center, or by clicking the links below:

C.A.R.E. Special Needs Questionnaire
C.A.R.E. Release Waiver

If you would like more information regarding the C.A.R.E. program, you may contact Detective Brandon Smith by phone at (910) 458-2540 ext. 298 or by email at Brandon.Smith@carolinabeach.org.