Margate Police Sgt. Jessica Fane shows ‘The Blue Envelope.”
Downbeach Police in conjunction with the Atlantic County Association of Chiefs of Police is launching a new program to improve interactions between individuals with autism spectrum disorder and police officers during encounters, such as traffic stops.
The new initiative known as the “Blue Envelope” program is being launched during Autism Awareness Month and is being funded and sponsored by the Atlantic County Association of Chiefs of Police in collaboration with every police department in Atlantic County.
The Blue Envelope program provides a blue envelope to individuals with autism spectrum disorder that contains written information and guidance for both the individual and the police officer. The guidance is designed to help facilitate effective communication with the goal of making encounters with police safer and less stressful for all parties involved.
“Overall, the Blue Envelope program represents our continued commitment toward promoting greater inclusivity and understanding within our communities,” Linwood Police Chief Steven M. Cunningham said in a release. “In addition, we want to provide our officers with tools and resources that will be helpful when interacting with individuals living with ASD.”
Information contained in The Blue Envelope.
In 2020, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office launched the Atlantic County Special Needs Registry, which was designed to ensure that all Atlantic County residents who have special needs are able to get the help and support they need in a time of emergency or during an interaction with law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical personnel.
“We would like to thank Linwood Police Chief Steve Cunningham for bringing this initiative to the table for us,” Longport Police Chief and President of the Atlantic County Chiefs Association Frank Culmone said. “The Atlantic County chiefs are determined to make driving through our towns safer, easier and less stressful for everyone who navigates our roadways, including those with ASD.”
Ventnor City Police Chief Joe Fussner and the men and women of the Ventnor City Police Department wholeheartedly support the program and thank the Atlantic County Chiefs of Police for helping to make police-citizen encounters safer.
“This provides another resource for our officers to be able to identify someone with ASD and interact with them in an appropriate, compassionate, and professional manner,” Fussner said.
Downbeach residents may pick up envelopes from their local police department.
For more information regarding this initiative, contact Ventnor Police Chief Fussner at 609-822-2101, Longport Police Chief Frank Culmone at 609-822-0642, or Margate Police Chief Matthew Hankinson at 609-822–1151.
