Police departments across Bucks County are part of a new initiative called the Blue Envelope program. It is being put into place to dramatically improve the outcomes of routine traffic stops for drivers with autism and other communication issues.
The program was announced last week by Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn and the Bucks County Chiefs of Police Association.
The Blue Envelope program is an expansion of a successful pilot already operating in several local municipalities.
All 39 police departments in the county are taking part and officers are being trained.
The program centers on a distinctive blue envelope where individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders or other communication disabilities can store their driving documents.
When a driver presents the envelope during a traffic stop, it serves as an immediate, nonverbal alert to the officer about the driver’s potential communication needs, officials said.
“This blue envelope, when produced, if the individual is stopped by a member of law enforcement, will immediately notify law enforcement that the individual driver has a communication disability,” Schorn said. “It is just a remarkable yet simple thing that will allow our law enforcement to be aware of the fact that the driver may have some issues that will prevent them from communicating in what would typically be expected.
Inside the envelope, drivers can include documentation specifying necessary accommodations for a police encounter.
The preemptive information is key to de-escalating stressful situations, according to police chiefs.
“Most on the autism spectrum a lot of times are nonverbal,” said Middletown Township police Chief Joseph Bartorilla, who serves as the president of the Bucks County Chiefs of Police Association. “So what the envelope does is it kind of takes the place of what they would normally say or how they would communicate on a car stop.”
Bartorilla said the information “just lets the officer understand who they’re dealing with,” which in turn helps them better interact with the driver.
The program originated in Connecticut with a focus on autism, but its scope widened after input from advocacy groups.
Laurie Hepler, a former civilian community relations specialist at Bedminster Township Police Department, brought the program to Bucks County.
“One day I received a phone call from the president of the Pennsylvania Brain Injury Association,” Hepler said. “She said, ‘Lori, I have your envelope. All these characteristics are something I would display, but I don’t have autism. I have a brain injury.’”
For individuals with neurodiversity or sensory processing issues, even a minor traffic stop can amplify anxiety.
The envelope addresses this dual stress, officials said.
“In an individual who has a neurodiversity, they may struggle and they have some sensory issues at times, so it may be amplified,” Schorn said. “And this will allow our members of law enforcement to know that that is in fact what is occurring.”
The envelope also serves a dual purpose for the driver. On its reverse side, it provides clear guidance on what to expect during a police stop, helping individuals understand common and routine procedures.
“The flip side of that envelope has some pointers for the individual so that they’re prepared to understand there may be a flashlight shown into the vehicle, there may be some instructions or commands being issued,” Schorn explained. “This is normal.”
Officers across the county will receive formal training on the program, which includes video instruction and departmental policies on how to respond appropriately when presented with a blue envelope.
The success of earlier municipal implementations was important as chiefs looked at a countywide program.
Bartorilla noted that Middletown Township modeled its program after successful operations in Morrisville Borough, Lower Makefield Township, and Yardley Borough.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewHopeFreePress.com
“I saw their initiatives in doing the blue envelope program were successful. So we mirrored it,” he said.
The envelopes are available free of charge through any of the 39 participating police departments.
Information about obtaining the special envelopes is available through local law enforcement agencies.
The program already has the endorsement of local advocates.
Ben Hartranft, an advocate on the autism spectrum, praised the expansion in a video message. He noted the envelope helps give the officer a “better understanding.”
Hartranft thanked Bucks County police for joining the program, and stated neighboring Montgomery County already takes part.
County officials are also working with state legislators on proposed complementary legislation that would allow individuals to voluntarily add a designation to their driver’s licenses indicating a communication disability.
“That information will be available when an officer runs a license plate,” Schorn said of the proposed legislation. “Again, that would be a voluntary program that’s still in its infancy.”
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