New program to help those with autism talk with police

BINGHAMTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – The Sheriff’s Office is rolling out a new program to improve interactions between police and those with autism.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office announced the start of the Blue Envelope Program, aimed at easing communication and preventing misunderstandings between individuals with autism and law enforcement during traffic stops or emergencies.

The program provides individuals with autism with a blue envelope, an insert card, and a vehicle sticker.

The envelope also tells the officers what to do, like simplifying requests, and what to do if the driver or passenger is non-verbal.

Broome County Sheriff, Fred Akshar says “Today’s partnership is an important step towards helping drivers and passengers with autism have positive interactions with the police, any tool that can help us better communicate and interact with people we serve can help make all the difference in the world, of course turning a potentially difficult situation into one that is an interaction of understanding for all involved,” says Akshar.

The Sheriff’s Office has partnered with local organizations to help distribute the blue envelopes, including Alive with Autism, ACHIEVE, the Southern Tier Independence Center, Gigi’s Playhouse and the HCA.

To participate, contact the Sheriff’s Office at 778-1168.

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