Marion County Prosecutor to begin Blue Envelope program

INDIANAPOLIS — A new program through the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office is aimed at helping interactions between law enforcement and individuals with disabilities.

According to a news release from the office, the Blue Envelope program aims to serve as an awareness tool for both law enforcement and individuals “who may experience heightened anxiety or communication challenges during police interactions.” Officials said this includes individuals with:

• Down Syndrome
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Dementia
• Anxiety disorders
• Other conditions

The release said that the program has been launched successfully in other states, starting in Connecticut in 2020, and is now being offered in Marion County.

“The Blue Envelope Program is a meaningful step toward fostering understanding, trust and safety in our community,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said in the release. “By providing individuals with a simple way to communicate their needs during a law enforcement interaction, we can reduce anxiety and improve safer outcomes for everyone involved.”

Officials said the program allows people to carry a blue envelope containing documents including identification, vehicle registration and emergency contact information. The documents also provide guidance on how the individual and the officer can communicate in these situations.

The release said that participating in the program is voluntary and does not require individuals to register with any database. For more information, click here.