Belleville Police Launch Traffic Stop Program For People With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Press release from the Township of Belleville:

The Belleville Police Department is proud to announce a new program to help people with Autism Spectrum Disorder during a traffic stop. It’s called the Blue Envelope Program.

Being pulled over by a police officer can make anyone anxious. For someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder, it can cause an even greater issue, between the heightened situation, the flashing lights, the sounds of radios, and other noises.

That’s why the Belleville Police Department started a Blue Envelope Program. We are trying to avoid any misunderstandings between our officers and drivers that have Autism Spectrum Disorder.

If someone with Autism Spectrum Disorder gets pulled over, the driver shows the blue envelope. The driver will keep their driver’s license, vehicle registration, vehicle insurance, inside the blue envelope.

The outside of the envelope tells the officers what to do, like simplifying requests and if the driver becomes upset, contact a person on the envelope.

A checked off box will also indicate whether the driver is verbal or nonverbal.

If you or someone you know would like to participate in the Blue Envelope Program, please contact Sgt. Anthony Abate at 973-450-3348 or email at aabate@bellevillenj.org. If you are unable to make it to police headquarters, an officer will drop off your blue envelope.

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This press release was produced by the Township of Belleville. The views expressed here are the author’s own.