Latest news with #BlueEnvelope
Chicago Tribune
19-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Elgin News Digest: School District U-46 honors top graduates in class of 2025; Elgin police launch new initiative to help autistic drivers
The District U-46 School Board honored the academic accomplishments of the top 47 graduating seniors from the district's five high schools in a program held May 12 at South Elgin High School. Those recognized were: Bartlett High School: Kaitlyn Jenison, Krish Patel, Jingyuan Wen, Whalan Eid, Ryan Chien, Benjamin Emro, Audrey Martin, Zara Yasoob and Jack Conner. Elgin High School: Sebastian Siwiec, Jason Allen, Rishi Shah, Joshua Nato, Aaditya Sanghavi, Eric Nazario, Evangeline Comings, Brody Grosenbach, Liza Aygul and Jai Patel. Larkin High School: Lucy Akemann, Lara Amaro, Erany Fahmy, Addison Kuttnauer, Jenna Mack, Lydia Soto, Caitlin Sweeney and Samantha Winer. South Elgin High School: Carter Beucler, Anthony Cavallo, Anna Christopherson, Donald Doan, Ava Franch, Emmett Hanson, Mackenzie Klinger, Ethan Messer, Nishar Parekh, Ayush Patel, Dia Patel, Kamila Sangabriel and Kalia Verdino. Streamwood High School: Sophia Lortie, Danielle Althea Sotto, Sophie Saflarski, Salman Amir, Ream Basraoui, Leonor Nevarez and Claire Dresser. The Elgin Police Department, in partnership with The Autism Hero Project, is now participating in the nationwide Blue Envelope Program. The program 'is designed to support autistic drivers during traffic stops or other motor vehicle interactions, bridging communication gaps and ensuring safer, more respectful encounters with law enforcement,' according to a post on the police department's Facebook page. Blue Envelope kits are provided to drivers with autism and include the person's driver's license, vehicle registration, insurance card, communication method (verbal, nonverbal, etc.) and support contact information, the post said. Instructions are printed on the envelope for both the driver and the officer and can be presented at the time of a stop or police event, helping to reduce anxiety, prevent misunderstandings and to build trust. The kits are available at the front desk of the Elgin Police Department, 151 Douglas Ave. For more information, call 847-289-2700. Debra Miller will portray author Laura Ingalls Wilder in a show called 'All That I Have Told Is True' being presented at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at the St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth Ave. Miller is a professional actress with more than 30 years of experience performing for live audiences, on television and in film, library officials said. For more information or to register for the program, go to or call 630-584-0076. The Elgin and Carpentersville police departments are taking part in the nationwide 'Click It or Ticket' campaign enforcing seat belt usage through the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The campaign will be conducted in the evening hours because Illinois crash data shows higher rates of traffic accident fatalities occur at night involving people not wearing seatbelts, a news release said. 'Seat belt use should be an automatic habit for everyone,' Carpentersville Police Chief Todd Shaver said in the release. 'Buckling up is the simplest way to reduce injury or save a life in a crash.' The 'Click It or Ticket' campaign is funded with federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. For more information, go to
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Fairborn and Miami County launch Blue Envelope program for drivers with disabilities
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – Both the Fairborn Police Department and the Miami County Sheriff's Office are joining the Blue Envelope Program to help drivers with disabilities. The Blue Envelope Program is designed to support people with communication needs – primarily people on the Autism Spectrum – but Fairborn is also including drivers with anxiety or dementia. Kettering Police start Blue Envelope program for drivers with ASD Drivers can show officers the envelope at traffic stops to signal they need extra support. The envelope holds the driver's important documents and has printed communication tips on the outside for officers to read. The Fairborn envelopes can be picked up at the Fairborn Police Department, 70 W. Hebble Ave. The envelope also includes a form to request a communication disability alert on your license or plates. To learn more, click here. The Miami County Sheriff's Office partnered with the Miami County Board of Developmental Disabilities to offer its envelopes. They can be picked up at 201 W. Main St., Troy, during the weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 937-440-6085 for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Placer County law enforcement launches Blue Envelope Program
( — The Placer County Sheriff's Office announced the launch of the Blue Envelope Program, an initiative to create safer interactions between law enforcement and members of the neurodiverse community. Video Above: What is Autism? 'This program is personal to me,' said Sheriff Wayne Woo. 'Many of us in law enforcement have loved ones who experience the world a little differently. The Blue Envelope is a simple but powerful way to ensure we meet these individuals with empathy, patience, and the tools needed to keep everyone safe.' People with autism and other cognitive conditions will be provided with tools like a blue envelope, lanyard, wristband or seatbelt cover, as a way to notify responding authorities that the person may require additional 'patience, support, or understanding during a law enforcement interaction.' PCSO assured the community that the program is voluntary and does not require tracking or registration. Lyrid meteor shower underway in Northern California, here's how to view it 'The Blue Envelope Program is a testament to what happens when we listen to our community and act with compassion,' said Assemblyman Joe Patterson, who has voiced support for the program. 'This program will provide reassurance to families and individuals who may have previously feared interactions with law enforcement. It's an excellent example of Placer County leading the way.' The materials are free and available through the Placer County Sheriff's Office and other community partners. More information can be found on the PCSO website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kettering Police begin Blue Envelope Program, aims to ease communication for drivers with autism
The Kettering Police Department is the latest Miami Valley police department to implement the Blue Envelope Program. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Blue Envelope is where drivers store their driver's license, vehicle registration, insurance card and emergency contact information, according to a press release from Kettering police. TRENDING STORIES: Kentucky man, animals unharmed after tornado nearly rips barn in half 18-month-old found moments after Amber Alert issued in Montgomery County Mother formally charged years after dead infant found in garbage truck The Blue Envelope also has guidance for officers and the driver that aims to streamline communication and reduce misunderstandings, the release says. This system is designed to reduce stress and confusion for drivers with autism spectrum disorder and allow officers to recognize they may need to adjust their communication style, according to the press release. Starting on April 3, community members can find Blue Envelopes in the Kettering Police Department lobby and the front desk at the Kettering Government Center. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chemung Co. Sheriff's Office adopts Blue Envelope Program
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – The Chemung County Sheriff's Office is now adopting the Blue Envelope Program, which helps drivers with autism. 'There are many adult drivers who are living with autism. A driver's physical movements or verbal responses which would normally be appropriate during a traffic stop may be beyond an autistic driver's control. Around the country, there have been some unfortunate incidents where, during a traffic stop of a person with autism, the officer has misinterpreted the driver's movements, or driver's failure to appropriately respond to requests or to directions. This has sometimes led to an escalation of the situation and resulted in a bad outcome,' said Chemung County Sheriff Bill Schrom. Elmira bike shop provides community refrigerator for food donations According to a news release, law enforcement agencies across the country are encouraging drivers with autism to get a Blue Envelope. Drivers can keep things like their license, registration, insurance card or other relevant documents in it. A police officer would normally request these during a traffic stop. This way, when the police officer sees the Blue Envelope, the officer is immediately alerted to the driver's autism and can adjust his or her own actions and reactions to fit the situation. 'They might be making repetitive movements that wouldn't be normal that would heighten the officer up that there's something wrong there. Well, this blue envelope could say well there's a reason for those movements. So, that may de-escalate the situation and it's all about keeping the public as well as the officer safe,' said Undersheriff Houper. Black Community Honors Awards to recognize local leaders The officer can then immediately understand how to best deal with the situation. 'It also teaches the driver with autism that 'Hey, there are certain things that the police officer are going to do or act,' just so they'll be aware. Like, at night time they might shine a flashlight into your car to see if there's anyone else in there. That's not a big deal. We have plenty to give out to anybody in the community that has autism that is a driver and again it's just to tell people that without telling us what you have, this blue envelope will identify you as somebody that has autism that may show signs that we're not used to in law enforcement,' said Undersheriff Houper. For more information on how to get a Blue Envelope, call The Chemung County Sheriff's Office Administrative Office Phone number at (607) 737-2987. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
