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New Mahoning law enforcement tool helps 911 responders identify mental disorders, special needs

By Mahoning Matters staff
(Photo by William D. Lewis)
(Photo by William D. Lewis)

YOUNGSTOWN — A new county registry for residents with special needs or mental health disorders is intended to better inform police officers and other responders during emergencies.

The new Mahoning County Special Needs Registry is a free and voluntary service allowing residents to register "vital" information that police should know in emergencies, such as a registrant's cognitive disorders or developmental disabilities, triggers associated with their condition, their emergency contact information, a physical description and a current photograph, according to a Tuesday news release from the Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office

If a registrant's information is on-file, the system alerts county 911 dispatchers, who can then share that information with responders, according to the release.

"We are very excited about the implementation of the Mahoning County Special Needs Registry," said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Gina DeGenova. "Many people with developmental disabilities, mental health disorders and other impairments are non-verbal, making it difficult for them to communicate with first responders.

"Time is of the essence when law enforcement officers are dealing with issues involving a person with special needs," DeGenova said. "This registry will provide citizens with special needs an opportunity to inform law enforcement about their condition."

Residents can register their information or get answers to frequently asked questions on the county prosecutor's website, or by calling the office at 330-740-2330.

The Mahoning County Sheriff's Office then uploads registry information to the countywide computer-aided dispatch system, which matches it to registrants' names, addresses and other identifiers like Social Security numbers, driver's licenses or state-issued IDs.

This story was originally published September 22, 2021 at 5:08 PM with the headline "New Mahoning law enforcement tool helps 911 responders identify mental disorders, special needs."