Clearwater Police Begin Special Needs Sticker Program

CLEARWATER, FL — The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office recently initiated a program to alert first responders of a possible special-needs person inside a residence or vehicle. That program is now being expanded to the Clearwater Police Department.

In the city of Clearwater, a caregiver or individual with special needs wanting to obtain a "Respond with Care" sticker can contact Community Engagement Officer Brian Hoxie at 727-281-1552. He will ask some brief qualifying questions to ensure the stickers are distributed appropriately.

People receiving the stickers will be instructed to display them at a prominent location on or near the front door of their home or the rear window of their vehicle where an approaching first responder can see it.

Caregivers or individuals with a variety of special needs, including autism, hearing impairment, visual impairment, mobility/physical disability and those with sensory issues or cognitive differences can request a sticker to display on their vehicle or residence so that law enforcement, fire personnel or EMS will know that they may need to make accommodations when interacting with the person. Alerting first responders to respond with care and to be prepared for a range of situations will assist with a smooth and safe interaction for all involved.