By Beth David, Editor
The Fairhaven Police Department rolled out a new program at the town’s DisABILITY Pride Event on Sunday, 7/30/23.
“The Department has launched a Blue Envelope program to help us better/safer serve people with autism,” PD spokesperson Lt. Kevin Kobza.
The envelopes are designed to be used to hold vehicle paperwork, such as the vehicle’s registration. \In the event that an autistic vehicle operator, or autistic passenger in the vehicle encounters police during a vehicle stop, MVA, or DMV, when they are asked for their paperwork, it will be in an immediately identifiable blue envelope.
The purpose of using the blue envelope is to alert the Officer that someone in the vehicle is on the autism spectrum. That way if they are exhibiting abnormal behavior, or poor social skills, it is most likely a result of their autistic condition as opposed to being furtive, aggressive or otherwise suspicious.
“An autistic person can sometimes be triggered into an episode by flashing lights, loud noises, sirens, etc.,” said Lt. Kobza. “The front of the envelope has a list of instructions for the autistic person, and the back of the envelope has important information for the Officer.”
Contact information cards also have helpful information to make the encounter easier for both the officer and the drivers and passengers.
The program was unveiled at the DisABILITY Pride event and was “received by the public with great enthusiasm,” said Lt. Kobza.
The department has already started disseminating the envelopes to the public, and they are available in the Fairhaven Police station lobby.
Contact cards that are part of the Blue Envelope Program have information to help police officers and people on the autism spectrum better handle a traffic stop by police. Submitted photo.
The blue envelope has instructions for an autistic driver on one side and instructions for police officers on the other side to help police officers and people on the autism spectrum better handle a traffic stop by police. Submitted photo.
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