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1. What is the Lake Mary Police Department's Special Needs Registry?

The Special Needs registry is a way for the Lake Mary Police Department to receive information about residents who have special needs that would be helpful for emergency responders to know. It is intended to compile and maintain a list of individuals who have "special needs" due to mental or neurological disabilities, and who reside within the City of Lake Mary. Residents are invited to proactively provide information about any loved one with special needs, regardless of age, who may require special assistance in an emergency situation or interaction with Lake Mary Police Officers. None of the fields on the form are mandatory and the information you choose to disclose is completely voluntary.

2. Who is eligible?

The registry is developed with the intent to serve all members (adult or juvenile) of our community who have a "special need" and volunteer to register with the Lake Mary Police Department.

3. Who has access to my family member’s profile?

Lake Mary Police personnel who require this information in the performance of their official duties will have access to the information. This information may be shared with other police agencies during an emergency situation, or if the registered person is missing within another jurisdiction. There are strict regulations with respect to accessing and disseminating this information.

4. Can I update my profile if there are changes? How do I do that?

Information can be updated anytime it might bring a significant impact on our policing response. Some examples would include a change in address, or change in emergency contact information. Changes can be made by contacting the Lake Mary Police Department Community Relations unit by email, or by submitting a new registration form.

5. How will this registry help if my family member is missing?

If the registered individual is reported missing by the parent/guardian, our responding police officers have easy access to their information through the Special Needs Registry. Knowing an individual's special needs (including triggers, stimulants, and de-escalation techniques) greatly assists our officers in locating your loved one, and safely handling an encounter. If the individual is not reported missing, but otherwise is contacted by our police officers, a computer query of our Special Needs Registry may allow us to quickly identify and reunite you with your loved one.

6. What are the Registration Procedures?

To register applicants, their parents or guardians complete the Special Needs Registry Form and return the document to the Lake Mary Police Department. Forms can be completed online, dropped off at the Police Department, requested to be picked up by an officer, or emailed to the Police Department. Parents and caregivers may enroll any person of any age with any type of medical condition or disability, including but not limited to: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alzheimer's or Dementia, Bipolar Disorder, and Down Syndrome. Adults with special needs may also enroll themselves.

7. What happens once the person is registered?

Participants will receive a Lake Mary Police Department vinyl decal to display on or near the front door of your home. Participants that meet certain criteria such as Alzheimer's or Autism can receive a wrist band with an identifying number during the registration process. The Lake Mary Police Department will provide the wrist band at no cost. The participant, their parent or guardian, will be responsible to replace it should it be lost or damaged. When a Lake Mary Police Officer has contact with a person listed on the registry, our 911 center can provide useful information to help the officer successfully interact and communicate with your loved one. The registry can also provide the parent or caregiver's emergency contact information.

8. As soon as I register, will the information be immediately available to responding police officers?

No. The content from the registration form must be entered into our internal Lake Mary Police Department database, and then forwarded to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office Dispatch Center. The process may take up to two weeks to finalize.