Newington, Berlin PDs Host Traffic Stop Program For Those With Autism

NEWINGTON/BERLIN, CT — Two area police departments have teamed up for a special event on Saturday designed to help those with autism cope with the possibility of a police traffic stop.

The Newington Police Department, Berlin Police Department, Southern Connecticut State University’s Center of Excellence of Autism Spectrum Disorders, and the Newington Special Education Parent Teacher Organization (SEPTO) will host a mock traffic stop event for drivers and passengers with autism spectrum disorder.

The free event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5, at John Wallace Middle School in Newington, 71 Halleran Drive, from 9 a.m. to noon.

"The purpose of the event is to alleviate stressors associated with traffic stops by providing drivers and passengers with the opportunity to experience a traffic stop scenario, and to interact with police officers in a safe and controlled environment," wrote the NPD in a release.

Participants will also learn how to effectively utilize the "Blue Envelope" during a traffic stop.

The Blue Envelope is a state Department of Motor Vehicles resource with written instructions to help motorists with autism spectrum disorder navigate a traffic stop.

It also alerts police officers that the person they are having contact with has autism.

Registration for the event is required.

For more information and to register for the event, click on this link.