LONGPORT – Some say Longport Police Department is No. 1 in their book, but for Alex Mann, its No. 529.
Mann, 26, of Malvern, Pennsylvania, started visiting police departments about seven years ago, and on Tuesday, Longport Police welcomed him with an itinerary that included a tour of the Police Department and Historical Society Museum, a ride in a Longport Volunteer Fire Department ambulance to Longport Point, lunch at Ozzie’s and to cap-off of the day, enjoy ice cream at Dairy Queen in Somers Point. Also included was a uniform of the day provided by the police department.
The 2018 graduate of Great Vally High School, who is living with autism, said that so far he has visited police departments in five states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland on his own, and in California with his parents.
“I do it to show my support for police and to create awareness of autism,” he said.
Considered a “Mann on a Mission,” the autism awareness advocate encourages police to use practical, empathetic and better-informed procedures when dealing with neurodiverse individuals to ensure safety for all.
Mann said having autism does not provide limits; instead, it enables him to share with others his unique talents and abilities.
“It’s a gift in some ways,” he said.
Mann works for an internet technology contractor doing quality assurance testing. He also volunteers his time for the Keystone Vally Fire Department.
His visit to Longport has been more than a year in the making, Police Chief Ray Burgan said.
Arrangements were initially formulated last year before former Chief Frank Culmone retired, and after Burgan was installed as chief, he assigned coordination of the visit to Officer Liam Nolan, who formulated the POD (plan of the day).
After lunch at Ozzie’s, the borough’s iconic breakfast and lunch eatery, Mann and several officers headed over to Borough Hall to meet Mayor Patrick Armstrong, who is assistant chief of the Longport Fire Department. Although it was a police department visit, the Fire Department played a big role in making the day enjoyable.
“They say police officers secretly want to be firefighters,” Armstrong quipped.
Armstrong, with the assistance of Commissioner Jim Ulmer, presented him with a proclamation naming April 21, 2026, as Alex Mann Day in Longport, before quickly escorting him next door to see fire apparatus, which Mann seemed very familiar with. He asked to sit in the driver’s seat of the pumper truck and then the ladder truck. But the volunteer firefighter seemed most interested in checking out the ambulance, which was put into service about two years ago, Armstrong said.
Pico, Armstrong’s yellow lab who was well-behaved enough to be a service dog, was not only amenable to posing for pictures but also undergo a heart check and blood pressure monitoring performed by Longport’s special guest.
Mann has created “Disability Disclosure Cards” to help individuals with autism communicate their needs more effectively when interacting with law enforcement.
The cards directly engage officers to “foster a better understanding of how individuals on the autism spectrum may communicate, respond, and experience stress during encounters with law enforcement officials.”
Mann’s exemplary advocacy on behalf of the neurodiverse community has garnered recognition from the law enforcement agencies he has visited on his goodwill tours, the proclamation stated.
“Alex Mann’s efforts embody the true meaning of civic service” allowing local law enforcement agencies to promote better understanding of the citizens they serve.
Enjoy a photo gallery of the visit:
Autism awareness advocate Alex Mann visited the Longport Police Department Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
