Efforts to make traffic stops safer for those with autism spectrum or other communication disorders are taking shape in Porter County.
The Porter County Board of Commissioners, at the request of the Portage Township Trustee’s Office and the Portage Township Autism Action Coalition, adopted a resolution Tuesday morning giving its support to the Blue Envelope Program, which launches with materials available to the public on Jan.6.
The resolution aims “to enhance communication between law enforcement and individuals on the autism spectrum disorder or other communication challenges” the resolution reads. A special blue envelope is available at several locations in Porter County. There is no cost for the envelope, no registration of personal information, and anyone can stop in and get one on behalf of an autistic driver.
It includes a window cling to adhere to the back or driver’s side window for officers to see when approaching the vehicle of a driver with autism, as well as a contact card for the driver to hand to the officer. The card explains the driver is on the autism spectrum, lists certain behaviors such as avoiding eye contact and being non-verbal that are not a sign of uncooperativeness, but, rather, manifestations of autism, and gives contact information of someone the officer may call on the driver’s behalf.
Joyce Russell, communications and outreach coordinator for the Portage Township Trustee, explained that upon finding a driver refusing to roll down a window and rocking back and forth, an officer’s first thoughts might understandably be that the driver is either on drugs or suffering from a mental health issue, but autism is neither. “He’s trying to soothe himself, calm himself,” she said of the behavior known as stemming.
The blue envelope can be used by the driver to store driver’s license, registration and insurance information in one place that can easily be handed over to an officer during a traffic stop. It also has tips for drivers and officers involved in a traffic stop.
Russell explained to the board at its November meeting that the Blue Envelope Program was started in Connecticut in 2020. “According to my research no jurisdiction in Indiana has this program,” she said. “Porter County would be the first.”
State Rep. Chuck Moseley, D-Portage, is attempting to pass legislation to make it a statewide program. The program exists in Vermont and Massachusetts in the east and California and Arizona out west.
“We want to make Portage Township and Porter County a model and hope that it moves to surrounding counties and states,” Russell said. She and Portage Township Trustee Brendan Clancy are working with trustees from Center, Westchester, Pleasant and Boone Townships to expand the program in those areas.
“As far as I know, all of the police chiefs in the remaining Porter County want to get on board,” Russell said.
She and Clancy have met with Porter County Sheriff Jeff Balon and his staff and Portage Police Chief Mike Candiano who will begin familiarizing their officers with the materials in the coming weeks.
Russell said Porter County has 3,000 to 3,500 residents on the autism spectrum. Three-fourths of people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder are male. Her own grandson is one of them.
“I believe it can save lives and I believe it can offer a layer of protection both for the person with autism and law enforcement,” she said.
A blue envelope can be picked up at the Portage Township Trustee’s Office, 3590 Willowcreek Road, Suite B in Portage, the Portage Police Station, 6260 Central Ave. in Portage, or the Porter County Sheriff’s Office, 2755 Indiana 49 in Valparaiso.
Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
