By Matthew Hersh
A traffic stop can be stressful for any driver, but for someone on the autism spectrum, the experience can present additional challenges. The Princeton Police Department is participating in a program designed to help officers and autistic drivers communicate more effectively during those encounters.
The Blue Envelope Program gives drivers a simple way to alert police that they may communicate or respond differently in a stressful situation.
“The Blue Envelope Program is a voluntary initiative designed to improve communication between law enforcement officers and drivers on the autism spectrum during traffic stops,” said Princeton Police Capt. Thomas Lagomarsino.
Drivers who participate keep their license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and emergency contact information in a blue envelope. They may also include information about communication preferences or other needs.
The envelope provides an immediate visual indication to an officer that an interaction may require some additional consideration. A driver can present the envelope during a traffic stop, alerting the officer that the individual may need additional time to process questions or formulate a response.
For responding police officers, that awareness can help shape the interaction. Lagomarsino said the program encourages officers to communicate clearly, avoid
asking multiple questions at once, and allow additional time for a driver to respond.
The goal, he said, is “to promote safer, more effective, and more respectful interactions between law enforcement and autistic drivers.”
The program recognizes that behaviors exhibited during a stressful encounter can sometimes be interpreted differently by the person experiencing them and the officer conducting the traffic stop. Providing information up front can help bridge
that gap.
The envelope also contains guidance for officers on the back flap. Drivers are instructed to keep their hands on the steering wheel until directed otherwise, even if an officer is not immediately at the vehicle; to let the officer know they have a blue envelope when approached; and to ask before moving any part of the vehicle.
The program does not require a driver to disclose more information than they are comfortable sharing. The envelope’s interior includes space for a driver to indicate that they have autism or special needs and to explain that a medical condition may affect their ability to communicate. Drivers can also identify people who may be contacted on their behalf if necessary.
The Blue Envelope Program is part of a broader New Jersey effort involving the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, and Capital Health. Princeton
police are encouraging residents interested in participating to contact the department at (609) 921-2100 and ask to speak with a community relations officer.
Mercer County is now making the program available beyond individual police departments, giving drivers with autism another option for preparing for an encounter with law enforcement before it happens.
The county’s Blue Envelope Program can be reached through Det. Anthony Sturchio at asturchio@mercercounty.org or Agent Michael Castaldo at mcastaldo@mercercounty.org.