Livingston CSO adopts Blue Envelope Program for drivers with mental health disorders
Jan 16, 2025
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — The Livingston County Sheriff's Office is adopting a new program to help respond to people with developmental or mental health disorders in a traffic stop.
According to a statement from Livingston CSO, there were multiple instances throughout the nation where an officer misinterpreted a driver's movements, which led to unfortunate incidents. This led to the New York State Sheriffs' Association to develop the Blue Envelop Program.
Here's how the program works — drivers who have autism or other disorders must obtain a blue envelope. The envelope is for them to keep their license, vehicle registration, insurance card, and other documents. This way, officers conducting a traffic stop can see the envelope, understand the driver may have a disability, and adjust their actions accordingly.
Other Sheriff's Departments, such as Tompkins County and Broome County, have adopted the program as well.
Last year, the Livingston County Sheriff's Office also adopted the Yellow Dot Program, which provides first responders with pertinent information during the first hour of a life-threatening emergency. More on that program can be found here.
Livingston County residents may request a blue envelop by going to the sheriff's office on Court Street.