Parsippany Police Aim To De-Escalate Traffic Stops Of Drivers With Autism

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Police in Parsippany are putting a program into place to enhance communications and defuse potentially tense situations involving traffic stops and drivers with autism.

A Blue Envelope Program was launched in April, Autism Awareness Month, by the Parsippany Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff's Office, and the Morris County Police Chiefs Association.

"The primary goal is to aid these drivers with document organization and to educate them about what to do during a motor vehicle stop," police said.

The main objectives of this Connecticut-based program are to help autistic spectrum disorder drivers organize their paperwork (the Blue Envelope) and to inform them of what to do and expect during a motor vehicle stop so that both the driver and the police officer have a positive experience.

It was suggested in Morris County by Washington Township Chief Jeff Almer.

The program, which began in Connecticut and is now being implemented across the country, is intended to help people on the autism spectrum who "may have difficulty communicating directly" or "effectively with police."

If a driver with autism is stopped for a motor vehicle infraction, the officer will be given a blue envelope containing the vehicle operator's driver's license, vehicle registration, and vehicle insurance card, as well as contact information (cell phone) for family and friends.

There are also instructions to educate the officer on the fact that the driver with ASD may exhibit behaviors that would otherwise raise suspicion on the officer's part, such as avoiding eye contact or reacting unusually to flashing lights or loud sirens.

"I think this is a needed and innovative way to help members of our community feel more comfortable with law enforcement," Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll said.

Participants in the program can pick up blue envelopes at the Parsippany Police Department, where they can keep their driver's license, vehicle registration, and insurance card, as well as contact information for family and friends.

Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, who delivered 3,000 envelopes to law enforcement agencies, said the program "is a great way to reduce any added danger by creating a communication bridge between drivers with ASD and our officers."

"Police stops can be tense absent any communication gaps and we don’t want that to be further exacerbated simply because of a misunderstanding, everyone’s safety is important to us here in Morris County," he added.

On the outside of the envelope, police officers will find the following instructions:

• Driver may exhibit signs of anxiety due to bright lights and noises like your radio
• Driver may display repetitive body movements or fidgeting and may have unusual eye contact
• Speak clearly and use the most simplistic explanations possible. Limit unnecessary details
• Allow the driver extra time to respond, driver may need more time to formulate a response
• Clearly tell the driver when the stop is over and they can leave
• If the driver becomes upset, consider contacting the person listed on the contact card

Anyone who believes they would benefit from the program is encouraged to participate, according to Morris County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Mark Chiarolanza.