Police chief reports rise in cannabis-related DUIs, outlines "blue envelope" program and staffing updates

The Maasau police chief told the city council on March 23 that officers met with school resource officers and mental-health staff to discuss internet-safety approaches and that the department plans classroom-appropriate responses for different grade levels.

The chief announced a new "blue envelope" program intended to help neurodivergent and autistic residents communicate during police interactions. Envelopes will be available for drivers to keep documents in their vehicle; the initiative is paired with a one- to two-hour refresher training on autism awareness for officers. The chief said the department has placed an order for the envelopes and expects distribution to begin within days.

On enforcement, the chief reported an increase in cannabis-related DUIs: "The 3 DUIs we've had have all been cannabis related," he said, adding the department is seeing more charges tied to open or evident cannabis in vehicles and that officers are reminding the public to treat cannabis transport like alcohol (sealed container, etc.).

He also described staffing as "too short now" but said the department has received two applications recently — one already trained and another that will undergo physical testing — giving the department optimism about near-term hires. The chief said officers are exercising appropriate discretion in enforcement and that planned outreach and reminders (including a golf-cart sticker renewal program at $35) will continue.

Council members asked for clarification on staffing levels and whether west-side sticker demand had increased; the chief said they had received some calls but cautioned that temporary test stickers may be short-lived and urged residents to wait for renewals.

The council did not take action on these items; they were informational reports from the police chief.