Coral Gables police department introduces tool for autistic residents

[mia]

At Wednesday’s City Commission meeting, Coral Gables Interim Police Chief Ed Hudak presented a new tool that would facilitate communication between officers and residents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disabilities.

The wallet card allows officers to better communicate with people with ASD. It’s a free personalized identification card for teenagers and adults who have ASD that is designed to help them communicate with officers or first responders about their disability and some of the challenges they face.

This program, which will be made available in the next few weeks, was inspired by Coral Gables Lieutenant Bart Barta, who has a son with autism.....

“He felt that there is truly a need,” spokeswoman Kelly Denham said. “Someone who has a cognitive issue could be portrayed as somebody who is not following police commands, or might appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, when it is not the case. The wallet card will help ease that communication and help officers understand more.”

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/coral-gables/article8523989.html

[Brickbat]

1. So...the person with the card reaches for his wallet....and...

...

[11 Bravo]

4. Yup, that fucking wallet better not be below the waist.

Because, you know ...

[Brickbat]

5. What could possibly go wrong.

[Brickbat]

2. Or, after the guy is beaten to a pulp and cuffed, they go through his wallet and find...

[Brickbat]

3. I guess it's cheaper than training.

[treestar]

6. Sounds constructive

[Taitertots]

7. Should they wear arm bands too?

It seems appropriate when the police are distributing cards to help innocent people try to avoid being murdered over nothing.

[mia]

8. In Alabama

ALABAMA (WAFF) - A mother's fear has paved the way for what is now a new Alabama law. Autistic drivers in the state will soon be able to carry ID cards acknowledging they have the disorder.

The cards are a way for autistic drivers who may have issues communicating to better and more safely interact with law enforcement. During a traffic stop, the driver will be able to hand the ID card to the officer explaining that they indeed have autism and may act abnormally in certain situations....

"Autistic kids, they don't make eye contact,” said Roden. “They are going to seem nervous. In a situation like that they will be more nervous. They give short answers. And I got to thinking, if Wyatt was doing that on a routine stop, they are going to read it different."

....Roden says she hopes this new law inspires law enforcement to do additional training on how to deal with people who have autism.


http://www.wsfa.com/story/27978443/new-law-issues-id-cards-for-autistic-drivers

[Katashi_itto]

9. Ok so now procedure is to shoot them and then read card. Should work great.

[procon]

10. I can already imagine the video playing on the evening news...

Guy reaches for his wallet to pull out the card and 41 cops open fire... yeah, that'll work!