Frequently Asked Questions

See below for answers to the most commonly asked questions.  Please feel free to call the Chattanooga Police Department at (423) 643-7695 or email takemehome@chattanooga.gov for more information.

 

Who is eligible to enroll in the Take Me Home Program?

The registry has been developed with the intent to serve all members of our community who may find their communication abilities challenged or ineffective when interacting with law enforcement.

 

Can I submit my form & photo online?

Yes – When you enroll online you will be directed to submit a photo. Passport style photos taken from the shoulders up work best.

 

As soon as I submit the enrollment, will the information be immediately available in case law enforcement response is required?

Not immediately. The enrollment will need to be reviewed by the program staff prior to being made available to law enforcement. The delay should be minimal.


Who has access to the enrollee’s profile?

Only Chattanooga Police Department and Chattanooga Fire Department employees who require this information in the performance of their duties will have access to the information. There are strict regulations with respect to accessing and disseminating information.


Can I update my profile more than every year if there are changes? How do I do that?

You may. However, only information that has a significant impact on policing response will be necessary. Some examples would include a change in address or emergency contact. If you have registered online you can access your account via your email address and password to make the changes and re-submit.


Will I be notified when the annual renewal is required?

If you have registered with a valid email address you will be notified annually on the anniversary of the enrollment.


After my child/dependent adult is enrolled, and if there is an incident, do I need to do something to notify the police?

Yes, please let the dispatcher know that the individual is registered in the Take Me Home program. In doing so, the information will be immediately disseminated to law enforcement.


How will this registry help if my child/dependent adult goes missing?

If the individual goes missing and is reported by the parent/guardian, information about his/her physical appearance, the most likely places where he/she would go to, as well as triggers, stimulants, and de-escalation techniques will be sent to all law enforcement in the area to look for the missing person.


What guarantees do we have that the interaction between our child/dependent adult and the law enforcement will be positive once he/she is enrolled?

What the program allows is the ability for officers to have necessary and additional information faster to begin searching. Also, if a officer comes across a lost person who is unable to communicate, the officer can have the database queried for persons enrolled that live in the area.

PLEASE NOTE: The police officers in the Chattanooga Police Department will respond to every situation on a case by case basis and will act according to policy, procedure, and best practice depending on the circumstances presented. As such, it is important to remember that simply having a person with a disability enrolled in the Take Me Home program will not necessarily determine how law enforcement officers respond to every situation involving that particular individual. An individual with a disability can still be arrested should he or she break the law. In such cases, the Take Me Home program will solely assist law enforcement officers in contacting an individual’s family, and shall not serve to waive nor excuse any unlawful conduct.