Local police departments take part in Blue Envelope Program

SHENANDOAH – Police officers in the heart of the anthracite are better equipped now to communicate with drivers on the autism spectrum.

Shenandoah Borough and West Mahanoy Township Police both announced this week they are participating in the Blue Envelope Program, a safety initiative designed to improve communication between law enforcement officers and drivers who may have a communication challenge such as autism.

The program, the departments said, provides a clearly marked blue envelope that holds important documents like a driver’s license, registration, and insurance card. The envelope also alerts officers that the driver may require a little extra time, patience, or clear communication during a traffic stop.

When a driver presents the blue envelope, it can serve as a helpful and non-verbal way to communicate that they may experience anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or difficulty with verbal interaction.

Envelopes are available free of charge at either the Shenandoah Police Station on West Washington Street in town or the West Mahanoy Township Police Station on Pennsylvania Avenue in Shenandoah Heights.

The article Local police departments take part in Blue Envelope Program first appeared on The Shenandoah Sentinel.