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The usual black, white and gold color scheme has been enlivened with a vibrantly multicolored decal in a puzzle design. The logo has been popularized by Autism Speaks, an advocacy group, and is now associated with the condition in much the same way as a pink ribbon has come to symbolize breast cancer awareness.
Cranford is displaying the logo in honor of Autism Awareness Month, which began April 1, but the department is hardly alone.
A number of police forces have also promoted the logo on social media accounts in support of the millions of families affected by autism, including Westfield, Clark and Summit.
Autism is a developmental disorder with a varied range of characteristics, including problems with social interactions, limited verbal skills, repetitive behaviors or some combination of the three.
In 2018, New Jersey had the highest rate of autism in the country, with 1 in 34 children aged 8 affected, versus a national rate of 1 in 59.
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