Project Safer organizers describe voluntary profile system tied to sheriff’s database; plan county-fair event

Organizers of Project Safer told the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee that the program collects voluntary personal profiles designed to help first responders better respond to people with sensory or behavioral needs and that the information will populate for responding officers through a sheriff’s department database.

Terry Barrett, a Sequim parent and Project Safer organizer, described the registry as “a voluntary form” that lets people “give as much or as little information as you would like to give,” and said the form is stored in a database connected with the sheriff’s department so first responders will have relevant information during a response.

The committee heard examples of how information could be used: if a resident is sensitive to sirens or flashing lights, responders would know to “turn those off when they came,” Barrett said; if a person gets “very excited,” that behavior would be understood as part of the person’s profile rather than misinterpreted.

Barrett said Project Safer organizers also run an annual Project Safer outreach event at the county fair on the fair’s first day. The event is described as a “save-the-date” fixture for families and provider organizations; organizers said they provide free tickets to clients and families and aim to increase space and partner participation this year.

DDAC members suggested publicity ideas; one member proposed wrapping a city bus with Project Safer branding to raise awareness. Barrett said the project grew from a personal incident involving her son and law enforcement, and that organizers developed the voluntary form and the outreach event to turn that experience into a resource for the community.

No formal action was taken; members discussed partnering and publicity ahead of the fair.