by Dan Doyle
DOYLESTOWN, PA — Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn announced Monday the official countywide launch of the Blue Envelope Program, a unified initiative designed to improve communication and safety during interactions between law enforcement officers and drivers with autism or other communication challenges.
Joined by a large contingent of police chiefs and law enforcement leaders representing every municipal department in the county, Schorn said the collaborative effort marks a major step forward in community policing and inclusivity across Bucks County.
“This initiative is a critical step forward for community policing in Bucks County,” said District Attorney Schorn. “Many of our departments had already recognized the value of the Blue Envelope Program, and today, we solidify that commitment by ensuring every driver and every officer benefits from a single, unified protocol. Uniformity means safety, clarity, and reduced stress for everyone involved.”
The program provides drivers with communication difficulties—including those on the autism spectrum and individuals with brain injuries—with a distinct blue envelope to hold their driver’s license, registration, and insurance documents. The envelope is marked with cues alerting officers that the driver may have sensory or communication challenges and includes clear instructions for both parties to promote calm, effective communication during a traffic stop.
A Unified Countywide Effort
The Blue Envelope Program first took root in Middletown Township, where it quickly proved successful in improving traffic stop interactions. Middletown Police Chief Joseph Bartorilla, who also serves as President of the Police Chiefs’ Association of Bucks County, said expanding the program countywide ensures consistency and compassion across all departments.
“It’s a privilege to stand here with District Attorney Schorn and my fellow chiefs as we announce the county-wide expansion of the Project Blue Envelope Program,” Bartorilla said. “This initiative began with a simple but powerful idea: to improve interactions between law enforcement and individuals on the autism spectrum. It builds trust, promotes safety, and strengthens the bond between our officers and the community we serve.”
Expanded Scope for Greater Inclusivity
Laurie Hepler, representing the Bedminster Township Police Department, emphasized that while the program began with a focus on autism awareness, it now extends to a broader range of individuals with communication barriers.
“Through engagement with groups like the Pennsylvania Brain Injury Association, we found officers experience the same communication barriers with individuals who have a variety of conditions,” Hepler explained. “This gave us the opportunity to expand the program beyond autism to help individuals with many different challenges.”
Community Support and Future Plans
The announcement also featured a video message from local advocate Ben Hartranft, who praised the program’s positive impact on individuals with communication challenges. His message reinforced how the initiative fosters trust and understanding between officers and the community.
District Attorney Schorn also noted growing momentum for similar measures at the state level. Proposed Pennsylvania legislation would allow drivers to voluntarily add a communication disability designation to their driver’s license, alerting officers during traffic stops.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this collaboration,” Schorn said. “This could not happen without an organization as remarkable as our Bucks County Chiefs of Police Association.”
Getting a Blue Envelope
The Blue Envelopes are free and available from any local police department in Bucks County. The standardized rollout ensures that no matter where a traffic stop occurs in the county, both officers and drivers will follow the same consistent and understanding procedures.
For more information or to obtain a Blue Envelope, residents can contact their local Bucks County Police Department.