Montco PD launches Blue Envelope program for special needs drivers

Montgomery County officials have announces the launch of a new ‘Blue Envelope Program” to assist special needs drivers and police officers during interactions.

The Blue Envelope Program is designed to help vehicle drivers with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), communications challenges, dementia, anxiety or other conditions that might impair their ability to communicate easily during a traffic stop, car accident or other on-the-road interaction with police officers.

During a traffic stop, when an officer approaches the vehicle, the driver is instructed to inform the police officer that they have a Blue Envelope and then hand the officer the envelope.

Inside the blue envelope, the officer should find a copy of their driver’s license, automobile registration and proof of auto insurance along with a form that includes information about the driver’s special needs and a contact person, if necessary, to assist with the interaction.

“Traffic stops are a high-stress situation for most drivers. The driver sees the police lights come on behind them and they get worried about what they did wrong or if they might get a ticket. And that stress might even be magnified in some population of drivers,” said Montgomery District Attoney Kevin R. Steele. “This program paves the way for as smooth an interaction as possible between police and those individuals who might not respond in ways that are expected.”

Whitpain Township Police Chief Kenneth Lawson said, “Our police officers are here to protect and serve every single person in our jurisdictions, and this program ensures that police are aware of the Blue Envelope driver’s condition and the driver is aware of what to expect and what to do during a traffic stop. The program will help both parties.”

The Blue Envelope Program comes to Montgomery County after Ben Hartranft, a 25-year-old resident of Montgomery Township with ASD, brought the idea to Upper Gwynedd Police Chief Dave Duffy.

“Montgomery County is being a leader in awareness for those with autism and others,” said Hartranft. “I am really excited that the Blue Envelope program will bring awareness to action so those who work in law enforcement can understand more about people with autism and other conditions.”

The Blue Envelope indicates whether the driver is verbal or non-verbal and instructs the driver to inform a police officer that they have a Blue Envelope when the officer approaches the vehicle.