TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa has been an officially "autism-friendly" city since 2018, but city leaders believe more can be done to strengthen communication between police and people on the spectrum.

What we know:

A new proposal going before City Council on Thursday would introduce ID cards issued by the Tampa Police Department.

People with autism could present the card during an interaction with officers, such as a traffic stop, to alert them to their diagnosis.

The cards are being discussed as an extension of the "autism alert" stickers some cities already offer for cars and homes.

Why you should care:

Advocates say communication barriers can sometimes cause tense or confusing moments between officers and people with autism, especially in stressful situations like traffic stops.

Rick Far

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