PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A new law aimed at helping to improve interactions between law enforcement and people with disabilities goes into effect on January 1. SB 784 which is named the ‘Protect Our Loved Ones Act’ allows local police and sheriff departments to develop and maintain databases of people in their communities with developmental, psychological, or other disabilities. The listed conditions also include autism, Alzheimers, dementia, and Down syndrome. A parent or caretaker would have the choice to voluntarily submit someone with a disability to the registry, should their local law enforcement agency create one. Michelle Detwiler with the...
