Sheriffs brief MAC on ‘Blue Envelope’ disability-awareness program; CHP cites new county parking, camping enforcement

At the Nov. 20 meeting of the El Rio/Del Norte Municipal Advisory Council, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol officials briefed the council on two public-safety items: the county’s 'Blue Envelope' disability-awareness program and enforcement plans for a new ordinance banning overnight parking and camping near farmland.

Senior Deputy Helm described the Blue Envelope program as "to create awareness for law enforcement that any member of the community may have a condition or disability that could impact their behavior or ability to communicate during a traffic stop or any law enforcement contact." The program is meant to help officers recognize communication or behavioral differences that flow from disabilities and to reduce misunderstandings during contacts.

Officer Allen of the CHP told the council the County Board of Supervisors has passed an ordinance prohibiting overnight parking and camping near farmland and that enforcement will begin after signage is posted around the county. "They will be enforcing once signs go up around the county," Officer Allen said, adding that officers have been tagging and issuing 72-hour notices to vehicles they believe are in violation.

Council members did not vote on enforcement policy at the advisory meeting; the presentation was informational. The council can refer enforcement or signage questions to county staff or the Board of Supervisors. The public-safety presentations were placed on the record; no formal action by the MAC was taken during this agenda item.