Autism New Jersey’s Law Enforcement Initiative, launched in February 2024, aims to bring together individuals and entities in law enforcement and the autism community to identify best practices in a variety of areas and increase the adoption of autism-friendly practices. The SAFE Network is a first-of-its-kind resource in New Jersey, offering officers a unique opportunity to connect with peers who are successfully implementing autism-friendly practices such as the Blue Envelope Program, mock pullovers, community events, and locative technology. By fostering collaboration, the network promotes consistent, empathetic interactions with autistic individuals. The directory below lists individuals who have indicated they are comfortable being contacted as a resource for the indicated practice.
Special Needs Registry
Registries provide a voluntary opportunity for individuals with autism and their families to share critical information with law enforcement that will assist law enforcement in a potential response situation. Ready access to critical information helps law enforcement better respond in an emergency.
View Special Needs Registry Contacts
Contact Name | Department/Town/City | E-mail Address |
---|---|---|
Captain (Acting Chief) John Da Silva | Westfield | jdasilva@ucnj.org |
Detective Adrian Ailey | North Brunswick | aailey@northbrunswicknj.gov |
Sergeant Steven Farparan | Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst | steven.farparan.3@us.af.mil |
Detective Derek Finley | West Milford | d.finley@wmtpd.org |
Officer Justin Bowman | Watchung | jbowman@watchungpd.com |
Sergeant Daniel Hennessey | Bridgewater | dhennessey@bridgewaternj.gov |
Chief Joseph Giannuzzi | Mountainside | jgiannuzzi@mountainsidepd.com |
Sergeant Khisha Bethea | Plainfield | kbethea@plainfieldpolicenj.gov |
Detective Edlyn Guzman | Passaic | eguzman@cityofpassaicnj.gov |
Blue Envelope
The Blue Envelope was created to enhance communication between law enforcement and autistic drivers, and its primary goal is to assist autistic drivers with document organization and information about what to do during a motor vehicle stop. The information on the envelope helps law enforcement by identifying a driver as autistic and provides guidance on interaction with that individual.
View Contacts
Contact Name | Department/Town/City | E-mail Address |
---|---|---|
Captain (Acting Chief) John Da Silva | Westfield | jdasilva@ucnj.org |
Sergeant Travis Somerville | Morristown | tsomerville@co.morris.nj.us |
Detective Derek Finley | West Milford | d.finley@wmtpd.org |
Officer Justin Bowman | Watchung | jbowman@watchungpd.com |
Sergeant Daniel Hennessey | Bridgewater | dhennessey@bridgewaternj.gov |
Chief Joseph Giannuzzi | Mountainside | jgiannuzzi@mountainsidepd.com |
Sergeant Khisha Bethea | Plainfield | kbethea@plainfieldpolicenj.gov |
Detective Edlyn Guzman | Passaic | eguzman@cityofpassaicnj.gov |
Mock Pullovers
Mock pullovers provide a simulated experience in which individuals, particularly those with autism, can interact with officers during a traffic stop scenario. The program is essential because it offers opportunities for autistic individuals to understand what may occur during a motor vehicle stop and the kind of directions that officers may give.
View Contacts
Contact Name | Department/Town/City | E-mail Address |
---|---|---|
Sergeant Steven Farparan | Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst | steven.farparan.3@us.af.mil |
Chief Jonathan Glass | Pemberton | jglass@pembertonpolice.com |
Sergeant Khisha Bethea | Plainfield | kbethea@plainfieldpolicenj.gov |
Detective Edlyn Guzman | Passaic | eguzman@cityofpassaicnj.gov |
Additional Motor Vehicle Practices
Practices like having seatbelt covers and car decals are simple, yet effective tools designed to inform law enforcement and all first responders of the presence of an autistic motor vehicle occupant. These tools have the potential for life-saving interactions in the event of a traditional motor vehicle stop, a motor vehicle accident, or an incapacitated driver scenario.
View Contacts
Contact Name | Department/Town/City | E-mail Address |
---|---|---|
Chief Joseph Giannuzzi | Mountainside | jgiannuzzi@mountainsidepd.com |
Sergeant Khisha Bethea | Plainfield | kbethea@plainfieldpolicenj.gov |
Having a Contact for the Autism Community
A designated contact for the autism community, typically as part of a law enforcement agency’s community policing division, serves a crucial role in establishing relationships with the autism community and implementing and overseeing autism-friendly practices.
View Contacts
Contact Name | Department/Town/City | E-mail Address |
---|---|---|
Sergeant Steven Farparan | Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst | steven.farparan.3@us.af.mil |
Sergeant Travis Somerville | Morristown | tsomerville@co.morris.nj.us |
Detective Derek Finley | West Milford | d.finley@wmtpd.org |
Officer Justin Bowman | Watchung | jbowman@watchungpd.com |
Sergeant Daniel Hennessey | Bridgewater | dhennessey@bridgewaternj.gov |
Chief Joseph Giannuzzi | Mountainside | jgiannuzzi@mountainsidepd.com |
Sergeant Khisha Bethea | Plainfield | kbethea@plainfieldpolicenj.gov |
Detective Edlyn Guzman | Passaic | eguzman@cityofpassaicnj.gov |
Community Events
Law enforcement-hosted community events, such as National Night Out and Breakfast or Coffee with a Cop, are practices that allow law enforcement to actively participate in community outreach. They provide a wonderful opportunity to engage with members of the autism community and to foster meaningful relationships with them.
View Contacts
Contact Name | Department/Town/City | E-mail Address |
---|---|---|
Captain (Acting Chief) John Da Silva | Westfield | jdasilva@ucnj.org |
Sergeant Khisha Bethea | Plainfield | kbethea@plainfieldpolicenj.gov |
Detective Adrian Ailey | North Brunswick | aailey@northbrunswicknj.gov |
Sergeant Travis Somerville | Morristown | tsomerville@co.morris.nj.us |
Detective Derek Finley | West Milford | d.finley@wmtpd.org |
Chief Jonathan Glass | Pemberton | jglass@pembertonpolice.com |
Sergeant Khisha Bethea | Plainfield | kbethea@plainfieldpolicenj.gov |
Detective Edlyn Guzman | Passaic | eguzman@cityofpassaicnj.gov |
Trainings
Training is an essential component of any occupation, especially when safety is a consideration. Success and the avoidance of professional missteps, or even worse, tragedy, are largely dependent upon effective training. Pursuing a proactive approach to effective autism training, coupled with the practice of patience and tolerance, will ensure the well-being of the autism community, the public, and law enforcement.
View Contacts
Contact Name | Department/Town/City | E-mail Address |
---|---|---|
Captain (Acting Chief) John Da Silva | Westfield | jdasilva@ucnj.org |
Sergeant Travis Somerville | Morristown | tsomerville@co.morris.nj.us |
Detective Derek Finley | West Milford | d.finley@wmtpd.org |
Sergeant Khisha Bethea | Plainfield | kbethea@plainfieldpolicenj.gov |
Detective Edlyn Guzman | Passaic | eguzman@cityofpassaicnj.gov |
Locative Technology
Wandering and elopement scenarios are significant challenges for the autistic community and law enforcement/search and rescue personnel and locative technology can play an important role. In addition, real-time locative devices (e.g., AngelSense) with advanced GPS technology and voice-monitoring features help further reduce and hopefully eliminate any tragedies that may result from such scenarios.
View Contacts
Contact Name Department/Town/City E-mail Address Technology
Captain (Acting Chief) John Da Silva Westfield jdasilva@ucnj.org Project Lifesaver
Detective Adrian Ailey North Brunswick aailey@northbrunswicknj.gov Realtime Technology
Sergeant Travis Somerville Morristown tsomerville@co.morris.nj.us Project Lifesaver, Realtime Technology
Detective Derek Finley West Milford d.finley@wmtpd.org Project Lifesaver
Sergeant Daniel Hennessey Bridgewater dhennessey@bridgewaternj.gov Project Lifesaver
Sergeant Khisha Bethea Plainfield kbethea@plainfieldpolicenj.gov Project Lifesaver
Detective Edlyn Guzman Passaic eguzman@cityofpassaicnj.gov Project Lifesaver, Realtime Technology
Sensory Kits/Communication Supports
Practices such as giving clear and concise instructions, allowing for additional response time, and recognizing that people may communicate with visual aids or communication devices are all ways to potentially support autistic individuals’ communication needs. While every person’s needs are unique, strategies such as sensory kits and sensory accommodations (e.g., reducing noise and minimizing bright lights when responding to calls) can help provide a more supportive environment for autistic individuals.
View Contacts
Contact Name | Department/Town/City | E-mail Address |
---|---|---|
Captain (Acting Chief) John Da Silva | Westfield | jdasilva@ucnj.org |
Detective Derek Finley | West Milford | d.finley@wmtpd.org |
Chief Joseph Giannuzzi | Mountainside | jgiannuzzi@mountainsidepd.com |
Sergeant Khisha Bethea | Plainfield | kbethea@plainfieldpolicenj.gov |