Blue Envelope Program Launched In Bucks County

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — It's called the Blue Envelope Program. And now it's available throughout Lower Bucks County.

The Blue Envelope Program is a crucial communication tool designed to improve interactions between law enforcement officers and drivers on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or those with other conditions that create a barrier to communication during routine traffic stops.

“This initiative is a critical step forward for community policing in Bucks County,” Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said during a press conference last week with police chiefs and law enforcement leadership representing municipal police departments across the county.

“Many of our departments had already recognized the value of the Blue Envelope Program, and today, we solidify that commitment by ensuring every driver and every officer benefits from a single, unified protocol," she said. Uniformity means safety, clarity, and reduced stress for everyone involved.”

During the news conference, law enforcement leaders praised the collaboration.

In Middletown Township, we've seen firsthand how well this program works," said Police Chief Joseph Bartorilla, president of the Police Chiefs' Association of Bucks County. "It builds trust, promotes safety, and strengthens the bond between our officers and the community we serve. Expanding it countywide means every police department in Bucks County will now have the tools to make the same positive connections. We are helping to ensure that every interaction on our roads will be safer, calmer, and more understanding for everyone involved.”

The program was pushed by local advocate Ben Hartranft, who praised the Blue Envelope Program for its success in improving interactions. Hartranft’s message highlighted the real-world impact of the initiative on the lives of individuals with communication challenges, reinforcing the program's value in building trust and safety.

About the Blue Envelope Program

The Blue Envelope Program allows drivers participating in the voluntary program carry a distinct blue envelope where they store their essential documents (license, registration, and insurance). The envelope also includes a contact card for a trusted individual who can provide assistance if needed.

The exterior of the envelope features vital cues, often indicating if the driver is verbal or non-verbal, along with clear, succinct instructions for both the officer and the driver.

Those instructions are:

• Alerting the officer that the driver may have sensory sensitivities or communication difficulties.
• Guiding the officer to use clear, simple language and allow extra time for responses.
• Instructing the driver to keep their hands visible until directed otherwise.

This reduces anxiety for the driver, promotes patience and empathy from the officer, and helps de-escalate potentially stressful situations, leading to safer outcomes for everyone involved.

The Blue Envelopes are available at no cost and can be acquired directly from any local Bucks County Police Department. This county-wide roll-out ensures that, whether a traffic stop occurs in any municipality in Bucks County, both the officer and the driver will follow the same procedures.

"I know there is proposed state legislation that will allow individuals to voluntarily have a designation on their driver's license," Schorn said. "If an officer runs a vehicle tag, they will be alerted to the fact that the driver may have a communication disability. I couldn't be more proud of this collaboration, which could not happen without an organization as remarkable as our Bucks County Chiefs of the Police Association."