Gloucester County residents now have access to more resources designed to improve interactions between law enforcement and people with special needs.

The chiefs association, prosecutor’s office and emergency response department are partnering to launch Gloucester County’s first Special Needs Registry and Blue Envelope Program.

Residents can voluntarily register themselves or their family members with special needs. The information will be accessible to first responders only during emergencies. People can add notes to the log that could be helpful for first responders to know about.

“For example, it will provide information about whether or not triggering aspects exist, such as lights or sirens. Whether or not there is anything we can do to improve the level of communication,” Gloucester County Prosecutor Christine Hoffman explained. “Whether someone is verbal or not, nonverbal. Whether or not there is someone we can call for help so we can improve our interaction from the beginning.”

The county hopes the registry will also serve as a tool for resource allocation and community engagement.

The Blue Envelope Program aims to assist with interactions during traffic stops. The blue envelope is designed to hold important documents such as your driver’s license, registration, and insurance card. If there is an interaction with the police, the driver can hand the envelope to the officer. The back of the envelope has a special needs awareness guide for police. The other side of the envelope has information about what a driver can expect during a traffic stop.

Drivers can pick up a blue envelope at any Gloucester County Police Department.

“The Special Needs Registry and Blue Envelope Program will allow our officers, along with other emergency response personnel, to provide enhanced assistance to those individuals who have mental or physical disabilities that may cause difficulty communicating during emergencies and other interactions with lifeguards”. Harrison Township Police Chief Ronald Cundey said.

The county will host a resource fair on Saturday, April 27, 2024 to launch the registration and blue envelope program. Community members are invited to attend. The resource fair will be held at the RiverWinds Community Center in West Deptford from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information on how to register for the registry, click here.