TAMPA - From attitudes to laws, the murder of three law enforcement officers has brought change to the Tampa Bay area.

It has been a year since Hank Earl Carr turned a hidden handcuff key to unlock his rage.

Since that day, a bill that would have limited media coverage has come and gone in the state Legislature. Appreciation for law enforcement officers has grown. Concealed handcuff keys are illegal in Tampa. And police have a new way of transporting prisoners.

Carr had used a concealed key to unlock his handcuffs and shoot two detectives. In July, the Tampa City Council responded by voting unanimously to make it a crime for a person to carry a concealed handcuff key. The crime is a misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Tampa police on Friday changed the way they transport prisoners. Carr had his hands cuffed in front of him and he sat alone in the back seat of a police car when he escaped. Now, prisoners must be handcuffed behind the back. Also, if a squad car doesn't have a screen between the front and back seats, an officer must ride in back with a prisoner.

The media also came under scrutiny during the tragedy. TV helicopters circled around a Shell gas station in Hernando County while SWAT teams set up position. Meanwhile, a radio station and newspaper telephoned Carr as he held a hostage.

State Sen. Ginny Brown-Waite, R- Spring Hill, authored a measure that would have prohibited any live broadcast of a hostage situation. The plan was to charge violators with a third-degree felony.

Police said they had difficulty reaching Carr because reporters tied up the phone line. Carr let the hostage go, then killed himself.

Brown-Waite's bill passed Senate and House committees but never reached the House floor.

There were also threats of lawsuits from a trucker shot by Carr and the woman he held hostage. So far, only letters of intent have been filed in Hillsborough County.

But more than any legal battles, officers say they have noticed the biggest change on the street.

Officer Bob Chandler, a 15-year veteran, said many career criminals act differently these days. Repeat offenders know to place their hands behind their backs for handcuffing, he said.

``Maybe that's because a lot of the offenders in this area [District 2] knew Randy and Ricky,'' Chandler said. ``A few friends, people are on the street, also would walk up and express their condolences.''

Officer Art Hushens, a Tampa police veteran of 10 years, was one of the officers assigned to Tampa Police Department memorial for slain officers several days after the shootings.

``The people who were always there to support us, are still there for us,'' Hushens said. ``All the tragedy did was to strengthen their support.''

Staff writer Jennifer Barrs contributed to this report. Ace Atkins covers law enforcement and can be reached at 259-7800 or watkins@tampatrib.com.