Rockland County Sheriff’s Office implements new program to better serve drivers with autism
The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office rolled out “the Blue Envelope Program” that aims to better serve drivers with autism by alerting officers during a traffic stop that the person is on the spectrum.
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“The Blue Envelope Program” is a new tool from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office that will allow them to better serve drivers with autism.
The program will alert officers during a traffic stop that the person is on the spectrum. It’s being rolled out at other sheriff's offices in New York, including Putnam County.
“I want my officers to understand that there's more to life than just issuing summons,” said Rockland County Sheriff Louis Falco III. “Helping people is just as important as holding people accountable."
The blue envelope also has instructions on the outside of each side for the driver and police officer.
“I'm happy it's here and I can't wait to get the word out in and help the cause,” said Kristin Finch, a behavioral specialist at Jawonio, a Rockland-based organization that has an autism resource training center. “It's really important that we have our police departments informed on how to work more closely with them so that we reduce any risk of anxiety or frustration tension."
Sheriff Falco plans to tell other law enforcement agencies in the county about this program.
Drivers with autism can contact the Rockland Sheriff’s Office at 845-638-5401 to obtain one for their use.
