Hazel Park police brief council on off-site active-shooter response, to roll out voluntary SAESE registry for residents with special needs

Hazel Park's police chief briefed the council on March 16 about the department's response to an active-shooter incident at Temple Israel in a nearby jurisdiction and announced the department's adoption of the SAESE (special needs, autism, elderly and vulnerable safety) program.

The chief said officers and a K-9 were sent to assist county units and detectives assigned to the Oakland County Sheriff's unit responded. Security staff at the site reportedly stopped the threat before officers arrived; one security officer was injured. The chief said officers assisted with securing and clearing buildings and that there were no fatalities or other injuries reported in the provided transcript.

Separately, the department described its participation in the SAESE program: residents can voluntarily register special needs information at the police department and receive a QR code and a blue envelope containing medical and identifying information. The QR tag is designed to be attached to bracelets, phones or clothing and can be scanned to retrieve a registrant's profile; the blue envelope is intended for drivers to show officers during traffic stops to alert them to special needs. The program is voluntary and the chief said there is no age limit for registration.

Chief and council praised interagency coordination and said the department will provide more information about SAESE availability and sign-up procedures.