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Project Safer form goes live after local tasing incident; first responders and family urge registration
Summary
Clallam County's Project Safer form is live; the program aims to give dispatchers and first responders person-centered information for safer interactions after a locally described tasing and arrest drew attention to gaps in on-scene context.
Project Safer, a community-led initiative intended to provide first responders with quick access to individualized information about people who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities, is now live in Clallam County, presenters told DDAC members.
The project screened a video recounting the 2019 arrest of a local resident, Nicholas, who has Down syndrome. In testimony after the video Terry Barrett, Nicholas's mother, described how police arrived after a homeowner reported someone going through yards. According to Port Angeles Police Department Corporal Luke Brown, Nicholas ran from officers; when confronted he held a piece of metal and officers deployed a taser to take him into custody (00:41:33, 00:45:44). Barrett said a written police report misstated her son's intent and that the mischaracterization led prosecutors to hold him in custody overnight rather than pursue a medical or treatment pathway (00:45:44, 00:51:15).
Sheriff Brian King and Port Angeles Police Chief Brian Smith described Project Safer as a tool built in partnership with the disabilities community and first responders to preload critical information into Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) so responders arriving on scene have context about communication, safety needs and how best to de-escalate. "It's really all about information," Chief Smith said. "The more information our first responders have, the better those outcomes can be" (00:53:07, 00:54:34).
Staff announced that Project Safer's informational form is now available online and can also be completed in person at the Clallam County Health & Human Services office on Third Street in Port Angeles. Individuals may include as much or as little personal information as they wish; the form is voluntary. The presentation included examples of how first responders could see cues in dispatch indicating a registered disability or specific assistance needs, and panelists described a community safety fair and continued outreach to county partners. Jefferson County, the presenters said, is planning a Project Safer meeting on Oct. 29 to discuss starting a similar effort (00:59:59, 01:00:30).
Why it matters: Family members and providers said having preloaded, person-centered information — such as preferred communication methods, known triggers, caregiver contacts and relevant medical history — can change how an emergency call is handled and reduce the likelihood of force or arrest. Law enforcement officials said they value the information for safety and de-escalation.
Privacy and choice: Presenters emphasized the voluntary nature of the form and said participants control what information is shared. Staff said the form is designed so families can provide only the information they are comfortable sharing with dispatch and first responders.
Next steps: Project Safer is now taking registrations; Health & Human Services staff and law enforcement plan continued outreach and training for dispatch, first responders and community partners to increase enrollment and awareness.
