Crime & Safety
'Blue Envelope Program' Comes To Atlantic County
The aim of the Blue Envelope Program is to assist drivers who are on the autism spectrum in the event they get pulled over by police.
ATLANTIC COUNTY, NJ — Drivers on the autism spectrum can find some assistance in the event of a motor vehicle stop through Atlantic County's Blue Envelope Program, announced by Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds and the Atlantic County Association of Chiefs of Police.
The Blue Envelope Program helps both the driver with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the police officer pulling them over. The driver is provided with documentation and education about what to do during a motor vehicle stop, while the officer is made aware that the driver has autism and guides them on how to interact with that individual. The program was created to enhance communication between the police officer and a driver with ASD.
The Blue Envelope itself is a resealable place to keep all driver documents including driver’s license, vehicle registration, insurance card, and family/emergency contact card. The person with ASD will hand the Blue Envelope to the officer upon a motor vehicle encounter.
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The envelope contains clear instructions for both the person with ASD, as well as the police officer, to follow to foster better communication between them. There is also emergency contact information contained within the Blue Envelope if officers need further assistance.
Chief Kevin Friel, President of the Atlantic County Association of Chiefs of Police said, "In 2023, Atlantic County Chiefs began this initiative with a goal of bridging the gap in communication and building empathy in the community for individuals with ASD. Now with the Prosecutor’s collaboration on the Blue Envelope Program and the upcoming replacement of the Special Need Registry with the National Public Safety Alliance for Individuals with Disabilities (AID) program, it will ensure Atlantic County Law Enforcement is doing everything possible to ensure fair and equitable treatment to our citizens."
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The envelope can be picked up at any local police department in Atlantic County and the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
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