Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr., along with representatives from the New York State Sheriff’s Association, autism advocacy organizations will announce the Suffolk Sheriff’s Office’s participation in the “Blue Envelope Program” on April 9, at 11am at the Yaphank Correctional Facility.
The Blue Envelope Program is a nationwide initiative being sponsored by the New York State Sheriff’s Association to facilitate smoother interactions between law enforcement officers and drivers on the autism spectrum during traffic stops. The program provides drivers with an official envelope to safely store essential documents, such as a driver's license, vehicle registration, and insurance information. In addition, the blue envelope serves as a visual cue to officers, signaling that the driver may have specific communication needs and helping to reduce potential stress during the encounter.
This initiative builds on the success of the Sheriff’s Office’s visual assistance cards, launched last year, which help individuals with autism spectrum disorder communicate their needs to law enforcement during emergencies. Sheriff Toulon and program officials will outline how drivers, families, and organizations can obtain the blue envelopes and visual aid cards, as well as the benefits of enrolling in these programs.