CLEAR SCV

In January 2004, law enforcement personnel arrested two 14-year-old students with autism at their high school in Santa Clarita, California, on separate occasions within the same week. On both occasions, the law enforcement personnel were unaware of the students' disabilities and communication issues. Teachers at the high school released the students to law enforcement personnel without being able to explain their exceptional needs. The parents of the students and the school principal were not aware of this situation... In response to these events, the Santa Clarita Valley community began discussing ways to improve law enforcement's interaction with people with disabilities and other functional needs. Particular focus was given to improving communication and sharing information... Santa Clarita established a voluntary paper registry of individuals with disabilities and other functional needs in October 2004. The primary purpose of the registry was to provide key information about..