What This Blue Envelope Means in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts

April is Autism Awareness Month, and you can count Mattapoisett among the growing number of Massachusetts police departments that have signed on to participate in the Blue Envelope program.  The initiative is designed to alert officers during a traffic stop that someone in the car is on the autism spectrum.

The Blue Envelopes outline in detail the different things that might happen during a routine traffic stop for the person with autism.  They also outline to the officer in great detail how this traffic stop may be different.

Why is the Blue Envelope Program Beneficial?

"It's beneficial to law enforcement and to individuals on the autism spectrum.  The Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association have really been promoting the program.  It's really an obvious choice for a police department to get involved with this," said Mattapoisett Police Chief Jason King.  "It streamlines the communication of anyone with autism and gives them a sense of relaxation and reduces anxiety on their side, but it also gives law enforcement important info.  Without the envelope, an officer could approach a vehicle and not know that a person has autism."

Where Can I Get a Blue Envelope?

The Blue Envelopes can be found at the Mattapoisett Police station.  They can even be delivered by the police if need be.  "We're here to support anyone who has any differences.  We try to include everyone.  I believe this makes things safer for both sides.

While no specific officer training is a part of the the Blue Envelope program, Chief King says that there is training dealing with people who have special needs as part of an officer's annual in service training.