The Bay County Sheriff’s Office has made a sticker available to families with a loved one with autism. Sheriff Tommy Ford is encouraging families to put a sticker on their vehicle and one near the front door of their home.
The presence of the sticker will inform law enforcement that there is a person with autism within the home or vehicle, and this will assist the responding deputy in determining the most appropriate way to respond and help, if called.
Law enforcement personnel at the BCSO receive Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) as part of their ongoing training. Understanding the special needs of the autistic child or adult will result in more effective communication and response by law enforcement.
The sticker is available beginning Tuesday, May 24, at the front desk of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office at 3421 N. Hwy. 77 in Panama City. Or email Deputy Mario Lupica at Mario.Lupica@bayso.org.
