LAKEWOOD, Ohio — The Lakewood Police Department recently announced that they are launching their Blue Envelope Program, which helps people with disabilities communicate with officers and offer documents during traffic stops.

What You Need To Know

  • Lakewood police are announcing the Blue Envelope Program

  • It helps those with disabilities communicate with officers during traffic stops

  • They keep the envelope in their car, and it contains their necessary documents and ID

“After hearing about similar programs, we reached out to San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the Mahoning County Prosecutor,” said Officer Melissa Mazor, who serves as one of Lakewood’s Neighborhood Officers in the city’s Ward 4 region, in a press release. “They were able to provide resources for us to begin building the program. We feel that this is an outstanding opportunity to do something new to help our interactions with the public.”

The envelope stays in the person’s car and contains their driver’s license or ID, their registration and insurance information. The envelope also features information about the needs of the individual, their name, emergency contact and instructions for the police officer.

The release states that many cities and counties throughout the country utilize this program. They say it can stop miscommunications before they occur and de-escalate situations.

“This program is our most recent introduction in our ongoing effort to improve relations between police and the residents and visitors within Lakewood,” Lakewood Police Chief Kevin Fischer said in the release. “As a department, we make sure that the safety of everyone involved in an interaction is the highest priority, as evidenced by our Neighborhood Policing program, our officers’ de-escalation training, and our continued proactive approach to citizen encounters.”

If interested, you can pick up materials at the Lakewood Police Department, public library and Fire Station 1. You can also reach out to the police department for more info.

 “I am excited to see the introduction of this program to Lakewood,” Lakewood Mayor Meghan George said in the release. “We pride ourselves as an open and welcoming community, and I commend the Lakewood Police Department on their dedication to enhancing the safety of all our residents.”