Law enforcement agencies across the Oklahoma City metro are rolling out a new tool designed to make interactions between police and residents safer and more calm for individuals who face communication challenges. The Blue Envelope Program offers an inclusive and supportive way for residents to inform officers on how best to interact with them.
The simple but powerful tool explains the person’s condition and affirms their intent to cooperate, helping officers understand how best to communicate with residents.
“Being stopped by police can be stressful for anyone, but it can be especially overwhelming for people with autism or other neurodevelopmental conditions,” said Emily Scott, Executive Director of the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma. “The Blue Envelope Program helps bridge communication gaps by giving officers key information they need for safer, more supportive interactions.”
What you need to know about the Blue Envelope program:
The Blue Envelope is a large, easy-to-spot envelope that drivers can hand to police officers during a traffic stop or other encounter. Inside, residents are encouraged to place:
- A copy of their driver’s license
- Vehicle registration
- Proof of insurance
The program was created to help anyone who may experience communication barriers, including those who:
- Are deaf or hard of hearing
- Have speech difficulties or are learning English
- Live with autism, ADHD or other neurodevelopmental conditions
- Experience anxiety, PTSD or other mental health conditions
- Have dementia, neurological impairments or involuntary movements
- Are blind or have low vision
- Face medical-related speech difficulties
In addition to providing key information to officers, the envelope also includes reminders for drivers to help make encounters smoother and safer:
- Stop in a safe location
- Stay in the car until instructed otherwise
- Keep your hands visible on the steering wheel
- Tell the officer you have a blue envelope and follow their directions
Who’s Participating
Several metro law enforcement agencies are already on board, including:
- Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office
Choctaw Police Department - Edmond Police Department
- Midwest City Police Department
- Moore Police Department
- Norman Police Department
- Oklahoma City Police Department
- The Village Police Department
- Community partners such as the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma
Blue Envelopes are available at any participating police precinct and the Oklahoma Autism Foundation.
Additional resources
Oklahoma City officials launched an online Awareness Notification Form for residents and business owners to inform public safety officers about conditions that could influence emergency or medical response at their location.
“The online Awareness Notification Form gives residents an easier, more convenient way to proactively notify us about conditions that exist at their location and expands our current suite of online tools for our residents,” Oklahoma City Police Chief Ron Bacy said. “Knowing about these conditions beforehand helps us to send the appropriate response when possible.”
Previously, these conditions could only be reported through direct contact with a public safety officer. The information entered on the new Awareness Notification Form will be attached to the location, helping dispatchers in the 911 Communications Center send the most appropriate team to respond to the call.
Examples of the form’s use could include advising about individuals at a residence or business who have medical, mental or behavioral health conditions such as light or sound sensitivity, hearing loss, low vision or mobility issues.
“Residents who experience mental and behavioral health symptoms themselves or have a loved one with mental or behavioral health symptoms living in the home can use this form to let us know about conditions such as sensitivity to loud sirens or flashing lights.” Oklahoma City Fire Chief Richard Kelley said. “This helps us better respond to emergency calls at that location, perhaps by sending a member of our Mobile Integrated Healthcare team or simply quieting sirens or turning off the flashing lights as we approach the location.”
Residents can submit an online Awareness Notification Form on okc.gov/awareness-form. The form expires one year from the date of submission.
