Our community recently faced a heartbreaking tragedy - the loss of a young boy with autism, who wandered off and, after over 24 hours of searching, was found lifelessly in a pond located behind his home. This terrible incident has exposed a significant safety issue that requires our immediate attention. Drowning, as CDC reports, is the leading cause of accidental death for children aged 1 to 4 and the second leading cause for children 5 to 9 years old. More alarmingly, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are significantly at risk, with drowning accounting for 91% of total reported deaths in children with ASD ages 14 and younger.

We must act now to prevent future accidents. We call for legislation mandating the installation of fencing around bodies of water such as ponds and lakes, specifically residential areas. These barriers could significantly limit accessibility for children, thereby drastically reducing the risk of future tragedies like the one that struck our community. We humbly request your support in bringing about this vital change. Please, sign this petition and help communal bodies of water become safer for children, especially those on the spectrum.