A Simple Blue Envelope Is Changing Traffic Stops for Drivers with Autism

A Blue Envelope is helping drivers with autism in Nolensville more safely complete traffic stops. 

The Nolensville Police Department started the Blue Envelope Program in their community about a month ago. Sgt. Christina Sabol says that both the community and officers have shared positive feedback, excited to learn a new skill and help keep everyone safe. 

“We as a department have been looking at ways that we can better serve our community, listen to the concerns of the folks we serve, and establish procedures and programs for safer outcomes for our officers and our community members,” Sabol says. 

The process is simple. When someone on the spectrum is pulled over, they hand the officer a blue envelope. Inside the envelope is the driver's license, proof of insurance, registration, emergency contact and medical information needed to give the officer context for the situation. 

“That may be the extent of the verbal communication that the individual has with the officer, depending on the limitations of the individual,” Sabol says. 

For someone with autism, certain behaviors are different from those of a neurotypical individual. Not only does the envelope allow the person in the car to feel safer, it also helps the officers know what to do next. 

“It’s really about effectively communicating needs, communicating special conditions, and also laying the groundwork for a safer interaction that doesn’t escalate based on misinterpretation of cues,” Sabol says. 

The NPD received a  $217,000 grant called Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). They used some of the money to hire a crisis response coordinator who has specific experience with individuals with autism. The coordinator trained all NPD officers in how to operate the Blue Envelope Program before rolling it out in the community. With this grant money, officers have also been learning how to de-escalate and build verbal communication skills in scenarios where someone they pull over is experiencing a crisis. 

However, the Blue Envelope Program itself was low-cost. It comes with a sticker for the outside of the car that alerts officers of the person on the spectrum inside, and the blue envelopes they can hand to the officer on the inside of the car. 

“The effort or funding or time that was necessary to start this program is minimal in comparison to the rewards we are seeing,” Sabol says. “It’s as simple as purchasing blue envelopes and educating communities about how to utilize them, and then talking to officers about serving different groups in different ways.” 

The NPD is still reaching out to parents in hopes of getting more detailed responses. For example, Sabol says some autistic individuals who run away have a tendency to be near water, and that could be put in the officer’s notes to be more aware. 

“We're also working with our dispatch center to integrate that information into our CAD system so that if officers are called to that residence, those notes automatically appear,” Sabol says. 

The envelopes are available at the Nolensville Police Department, and anyone is welcome to stop by to receive them or learn more about the Blue Envelope Program.