A new program is being implemented in Chautauqua County designed to help deputies more safely and effectively respond to calls involving individuals with special needs.

Sheriff James B. Quattrone introduced the program, titled “Friends of the Sheriff,” during a news conference Wednesday.

“This initiative is about building trust and promoting safety,” Quattrone said. “By giving our deputies and other law enforcement tools to better understand individuals with special needs before arriving on a scene, we can reduce anxiety and prevent situations from escalating. We want every interaction between law enforcement and the community to be as safe and respectful as possible.”

April is Autism Awareness Month, which Quattrone said made it the perfect time to kick off the program.

Pictured is a decal and blue envelope the Sheriff’s Office is providing to families who have an autistic member in the household.

The Sheriff’s Office is providing blue envelopes to those with autism in which drivers can keep one’s license, registration and insurance card inside.

When a person with autism is stopped, that individual can hand the officer the blue envelope to alert the officer about the individual’s special needs.

Quattrone acknowledged that in the past, individuals with autism have been stopped and an officer has misinterpreted the driver’s movements or failure to appropriately respond to requests by the officer. “This has sometimes led to an escalation of the situation and resulted in a bad outcome,” he said.

“The ‘Friends of the Sheriff’ program invites caregivers to voluntarily share key information about individuals in their household with special needs, such as sensory sensitivities, triggers, or calming techniques,” Quattrone explained.

This information is securely entered into the Sheriff’s Office computer-aided dispatch system and flagged to alert responding deputies.

Along with the blue envelope, the Sheriff’s Office has created a distinctive 4″x4″ decal, which can be can be placed on the rear driver-side window of a vehicle, front door, or mailbox to discreetly notify first responders that someone in the home or vehicle may have special needs.

To obtain a blue envelope or decals, residents are asked to fill out a physical form at the Sheriff’s Office in Mayville, providing information such as the individual’s name, address, special needs, sensory issues, and vehicle details. They can also call 716-753-4900.

Eventually, a digital form will be available via the Sheriff’s Office website, sheriff.us, its mobile app, allowing for easier access and submission.

Once a form is received, decals will be distributed by mail, picked up at the Sheriff’s Office, or delivered by patrol, based on the resident’s preference. Information collected will be securely stored and accessible to dispatch and law enforcement for future calls to the location.

Three decals are provided per household. Quattrone asks that if a decal is placed on a vehicle and that vehicle is going to be sold that the decal be removed, so that only those with special needs will have the decal.

There are no medical forms or doctors’ notes required to obtain the decals or blue envelopes.

Quattrone noted this initiative is being implemented in tandem with the statewide Blue Envelope Program of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association.

“Our hope is that this two-part system — a visible alert and a data-driven preparation — helps us approach each situation with compassion and understanding,” Quattrone said. “This program is an invitation to partner with us in creating safer outcomes for everyone.”

Smith, who describes herself as an advocate for those with special needs, applauds the new initiative. “I’m so grateful that the county is offering this program because people deserve special treatment when they have certain types of diagnoses. You don’t want to have an altercation or anything like that,” she said.