Autism-Friendly Blue Envelope Program Available In Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ — If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with autism, the Washington Township Police Department wants to remind residents of two important resources available for individuals on the autism spectrum.

The Blue Envelope Program, introduced last year, aims to facilitate smoother and more supportive interactions between police and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) during traffic stops or other motor vehicle encounters, according to the police.

Here’s how it works: autistic residents are given a blue envelope to ensure clear, respectful communication during a traffic stop—an anxiety-inducing experience for anyone, especially those with autism.

The envelopes include instructions for drivers on what to do during a stop and provide space to keep identifying documents. They also feature a checkbox indicating whether the driver is verbal or non-verbal.

Instructions for the Blue Envelope Program include keeping hands on the steering wheel until directed otherwise, answering the officer's questions, and informing the officer about the blue envelope. The guidelines also note that the officer may shine a flashlight into the vehicle or have their police car’s lights flashing during the interaction.

The instructions on the back of the envelope help officers understand that behaviors such as fidgeting, avoiding eye contact, or taking longer to respond are not signs of evasiveness but may be related to the individual’s condition.

Launched during Autism Awareness Month by the Morris Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff's Office, and the Morris County Police Chiefs Association, this initiative is gaining popularity statewide.

"Police stops can be tense absent any communication gaps and we don’t want that to be further exacerbated simply because of a misunderstanding, everyone’s safety is important to us here in Morris County," Morris County Sheriff James Gannon said.

Long Valley residents also have access to another important resource: an emergency information form. By completing this form, residents can ensure that critical details about their household are entered into the dispatch system. This information will be relayed to officers if they respond to a service request at your home, police said.

To obtain the emergency information form, residents can email Lt. Mike Hade at mhade@wtpdmorris.org.