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Brighton police roll out 'Blue Envelope' program for people with invisible disabilities
Summary
The Brighton Police Department is offering voluntary 'Blue Envelope' packets and vehicle stickers to help officers identify callers with invisible disabilities and provide communication guidance; the program is voluntary and the department will not maintain a participant database.
The Brighton Police Department introduced a voluntary "Blue Envelope" program June 3 that allows residents with invisible disabilities to provide first responders with written instructions and emergency-contact details; participating motorists may place a sticker on their vehicle to alert officers during traffic stops.
Police described the packet as a low-cost tool for improving encounters with people who are deaf or hard of hearing, autistic, nonverbal or have other disabilities that may not be obvious to first responders.
"What the blue envelope program is, is really a program designed to improve encounters with law enforcement for those with individual in I'm sorry, I'm struggling invisible disabilities," the police chief said during the meeting. The packets — available in the Brighton Police Department lobby — contain a sticker for a vehicle, instructions for first responders (for example, to "speak calmly" or "approach slowly"), emergency-contact information fields and suggested actions the participant can take during an encounter, such as stopping in a safe location and keeping hands visible.
The police chief emphasized the program is voluntary and not tracked by the department. "This is not something that we track or keep a database of. This is completely voluntary participation," the chief said. The department will not collect participant data centrally, the chief added, because the intent is to provide a simple, private way for residents to inform first responders about communication needs.
Councilmembers who had done ride-alongs or recent community outreach praised the initiative as a low-effort measure that could improve safety and reduce miscommunication. Councilmember Tadeo, who took a ride-along, said the envelope packets could help officers during contacts with residents who communicate differently. The program mirrors efforts that began in Boulder and have spread through several Colorado jurisdictions, the chief said.
Packets and stickers are available at the police department lobby and staff said residents may request multiple packets to share with family members or others who might benefit. The department said it would publicize availability through press releases and social media.
