Rockland Implements Blue Envelope Program

On January 16th, Sheriff Louis Falco III announced that the Rockland County Sheriffโ€™s Office will be implementing the Blue Envelope Program. The new initiative is intended to facilitate easy communication between drivers on the autism spectrum and law enforcement. Implementing this program also encourages caretakers and loved ones of people on the spectrum to have a frank conversation regarding what to expect during a traffic stop. Being aware of what to expect can help lessen the anxiety of a person with autism.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health,ย  โ€œAutism spectrum disorder is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behaveโ€. Autism is characterized by โ€œ…ongoing social problems that include difficulty communicating and interacting with others, repetitive behaviors as well as…symptoms that hurt the individualโ€™s ability to function socially, at school or work, or other areas of lifeโ€. These symptoms do not disappear during a traffic stop. With the increase in anxiety and disruption of daily life a traffic stop brings, these characteristics can worsen, much in the same way anxiety raises for neurotypical drivers. The only difference is that drivers with autism may struggle with managing or communicating their anxiety in a typical or expected fashion. The Blue Envelope Program, which is being implemented across New York, is helping bridge the gap.

Sheriff Falco has stated โ€œThere are many adult drivers who are living with autism. A driverโ€™s physical movements or verbal responses which would normally be appropriate during a traffic stop may be beyond an autistic driverโ€™s control. There have been some unfortunate incidents where, during a traffic stop of a person with autism, the officer has misinterpreted the driverโ€™s movements, or the driverโ€™s failure to appropriately respond to requests or to directions. This has sometimes led to an escalation of the situation and resulted in a bad outcome.โ€

On the front of the envelope, there are clear instructions for the driver on what to do during a traffic stop. The back of the envelope informs the law enforcement officer that the driver is on the spectrum and may react to being pulled over with signs of high anxiety, and that the driver may need extra time to respond to questions or directives. It also reminds officers to inform the driver when they may leave, and provides the officer with an emergency contact number to call should the driver become upset or incoherent.ย 

In a conversation with RCT, Sheriff Falco confirmed that the Blue Envelope Program will be explained during roll call training, a fifteen minute briefing officers receive at the beginning of their shift. This will help the officers become familiar with the envelope, the wording, and what to expect when interacting with a driver on the spectrum. Blue envelopes will also be kept in officerโ€™s patrol cars for reference and to give to those who request them.ย 

Drivers with autism or caregivers of people with autism can contact the Rockland Sheriffโ€™s Office at 845-638-5401 to obtain a blue envelope or to ask questions.ย 

 

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