TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Families with loved ones with autism are getting a helping hand when it comes to interactions with law enforcement.
Today in Tallahassee, the Tallahassee Police Department started an initiative to help officers navigate situations with people with autism.
The Tallahassee Police Department launched the approach with the Care Autism Awareness Initiative in partnership with several organizations that work with children and adults with autism.
Florida State University’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (FSU CARD), Behavioral Management Consultants (BMC), Leon County Schools, Cayer Behavioral Group, Children’s Home Society Early Steps, and Midtown Print joined together to support the cause.
The initiative introduces a free decal that alerts first responders that someone in the car may be on the autism spectrum.
Deputy Chief Jeff Mahoney says the idea came about years ago when talking with Shon Strickland, owner of Midtown Print Company. Both men have a young non-verbal child with autism.
“When they approach vehicles, whether or not they have any encounters with children with autism, they may be nonverbal, they may be sensitive to lights, they may be sensitive to sirens, and that could really set off a person,” Mahoney said.
“This is so important to me because it keeps people like my son safe. And if the officers are aware and they know how to approach the situation in a great way, it could be a better interaction for everyone,” Strickland said.
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The goal of the initiative is to improve interactions between law enforcement officers and people with autism.
“We don’t want to see a tragedy happen. If a police officer isn’t aware of what’s going on, you know, thinks somebody’s being combative or not cooperative. So, I thought this could be a good initiative to go with, and it also just brings awareness to autism in general,” Mahoney said.
People with family members or loved ones with autism are encouraged to pick up a free sticker and put it on their car.
People can get a free decal for a loved one with autism at any of the following organizations: Tallahassee Police Department‘s Community Relations Unit, Florida State University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (FSU CARD), Leon County Schools through Exceptional Student Education Teachers, and Midtown Print.
To request a decal from TPD, you can visit police headquarters at 234 E. Seventh Ave., call 850-891-4200 and ask for the Community Relations Unit, or email tpdcpu@talgov.com.
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