WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=Ac-_2pUzSVc NOTE MEETING SECTIONS: Part 1 (Video ID: Ac-_2pUzSVc): - 00:00:21: Event Introduction: Captain Gerba Welcomes Attendees and Introduces Staff - 00:03:26: Autism New Jersey: Dorene Speaks on Law Enforcement Initiative - 00:05:42: JFK's Veronique Discusses Driver Rehabilitation Program Services - 00:09:50: Your Choice Home Care: Rob Discusses Support for Families - 00:12:21: Community Advocate Brian KTO: Autism Advocacy Through Social Media - 00:16:07: PowerPoint Presentation: Safe Traffic Stops and Blue Envelopes - 00:27:18: Audience Questions and Answers About Traffic Stop Procedures - 00:31:25: Clarifying Blue Envelope Use & Sergeant Mitchkowski on Arrive Team - 00:38:52: Mock Traffic Stop Demonstration: Officer Waldron and Volunteer - 00:40:39: Post-Traffic Stop Q&A and Thank You to Participants Part: 1 1 00:00:21.760 --> 00:01:26.240 Heat. Hey, heat. Hey, heat. Heat. Heat. All right, I think we're about ready to get started here. We have a bunch of people that are coming um at 10 o'clock, too. So, sometimes it's good to stagger a little bit. That way, we have uh that way we 2 00:01:26.240 --> 00:01:40.720 won't be overwhelmed outside with the car stops. Um I'm Captain Gerba with the Edison Police Department. It's a pleasure to have an event and have you guys here today. Welcome to the Safe Stops program. I just want to say right 3 00:01:40.720 --> 00:01:57.680 off the bat, thank you to our chief for always giving us what we need when it comes to these kind of programs for the community. Um, thank you Edison TV is always they're everywhere. Edison TV is everywhere. They're at every event. So, thank you so much Edison TV for being 4 00:01:57.680 --> 00:02:15.120 there. Um, like I said, I'm Captain Gerba. Sergeant Mitchowski had a lot to do with putting this program together. He was the main contact and the main um he's registering people out front right now. Sergeant Patel of our community policing does a great job getting his 5 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:31.360 unit together. We have Detective Depalo here who will be assisting and he will be he will be the point on some of these car stops. And we have a a special guest, Officer Jenna Waldrin from NJIT. She came over to Edison to check out our 6 00:02:31.360 --> 00:02:46.720 event and she's going to assist today. So, thank you to her for coming. Um, most importantly, thank you families for coming out here today and participating in this. We want to put you in a situation of less stress around police 7 00:02:46.720 --> 00:03:02.959 officers so that you get to know us so that if there's ever a stressful situation, we could bring it to a safe conclusion. And that is our number one objective when we do a event like this. Um, I just wanted to introduce some of 8 00:03:02.959 --> 00:03:26.720 the other entities that are here and maybe they want to come up and say a few words. We have Dorene with Autism New Jersey. Dorene, why don't you come on up? >> Thank you so much, Captain. Um, and welcome everybody. I am so happy to be 9 00:03:26.720 --> 00:03:44.319 here and to see such an amazing event. um take place. I am from Autism New Jersey. I am the director of the law enforcement initiative which is designed to bring law enforcement and the autism communities together and to ensure adoption of autism friendly practices by 10 00:03:44.319 --> 00:04:00.959 law enforcement agencies exactly like this practice so that there are safe, positive, meaningful interactions between the law enforcement community and the autism community. And we really stress safety. Uh we have um an amazing law enforcement advisory committee made 11 00:04:00.959 --> 00:04:16.639 up of law enforcement professionals from throughout the state who really guide our mission. Um we also check in regularly with the autism community, get their feedback on how we're doing and how they'd like to see law enforcement adopt certain practices. I am honored to 12 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:31.840 say that Edison um police department is very well represented on our law enforcement advisory committee with officer Peparado, Sergeant Mitchowski, and Captain Gerba. Um they're extremely active members. They've done a phenomenal job. You should be very proud 13 00:04:31.840 --> 00:04:48.320 if you are Edison residents to be in this town because Edison Police Department is incredibly proactive. It also NGIT is as well. So, I'm so happy to see an NGIT officer here. Uh, in here in Middle Sex County and Edison, you have Blue Envelope, you have the 14 00:04:48.320 --> 00:05:05.759 registry through MPS aid program, and you have a wonderful program like this mock or uh motor vehicle stops, simulated experience, operation safe stop. Phenomenal. I highly recommend you to stop by our table, pick up one of our autism friendly practices publications 15 00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:22.000 to show you the meaningful work that law enforcement is doing with the autism community and how receptive they have been to ensuring safe interactions. So, congratulations on today to the Edison Police Department. They're phenomenal. They are breaking, you know, really all 16 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:42.560 the boundaries and going all out to connect with the community. So, thank you so much to them and thank you for participating. Thank you, Dorene, for those kind words. Also, we have from JFK, Veroni. 17 00:05:42.560 --> 00:06:06.880 Why don't you come on up? The floor is yours. >> Hello. Good morning. My name is Veronique. Um, I have something written down, so please, um, be patient. Um, I've been an occupational therapist 18 00:06:06.880 --> 00:06:24.000 and certified driver instructor for, um, quite some time. I'm not going to let you know because I'm old, dur. Um, I've been working for JFK since 2000. Um and I've actually have a subsp specialty uh with the nerve diverse 19 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:40.479 population and uh working with clients uh uh in the on the spectrum as well. Um JFK HMH JFK has an established driver rehab program since the late 1970s and 20 00:06:40.479 --> 00:06:56.160 1980s. I don't know if you guys know that. So we've been working with driver the driver training program for a long time. Um, currently we have two certified driver rehab special um certified driver rehab trainers, me and 21 00:06:56.160 --> 00:07:13.759 Giddy. Um and uh we have two cars that have low tech um car adaptations which means that we have um hand controls um left foot gas pedals um and also 22 00:07:13.759 --> 00:07:31.599 extenders which are the gas and uh brake extenders for people with little statures um as well as various steering controls. Um, we are both OT's. So, what what's that benefit? We can adapt 23 00:07:31.599 --> 00:07:46.560 our teaching methods to meet our clients adapted driving needs. >> Um, don't get me wrong, there are many many driver driving schools out there. But what makes us good and special is that we can meet our clients needs with 24 00:07:46.560 --> 00:08:03.199 vision, spatial relations, and um, uh, motor planning and executive functioning. and fine-tune your driving le our driving lessons to meet that specific need. Um, now JFK is not just a driving school 25 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:22.720 as you know is also a hospital and an outpatient clinic and it's actually expanded all throughout. Um, we were bought out by HMH and we are a big team and it's actually a very awesome hospital. So we have uh pediat pediatric 26 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:37.760 outpatient um clinic which our supervisor is here. So if you guys have any questions um she's here um and we have PT OT speech um we have a cog rehab program for brain 27 00:08:37.760 --> 00:08:58.959 trauma as well as concussion and a vocational rehab program. Um I would like to thank Captain Gerba for inviting us over here. All right. Thank you. >> Yeah. And the awesome thing about Veronique, she actually sought us out. 28 00:08:58.959 --> 00:09:16.000 She saw the programs we were doing. She wanted to work together. And that's that's really fantastic when an agency is t or an organization is taking proactive measures to try to help other people out. So, we really appreciate the work that she does. Um the prosecutor's 29 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:33.360 office is here for Middle Sex County as well. They're always uh very helpful. They have a lot of information including uh the public safety aid which is the special needs registry rebranded. They have information on that. And um finally 30 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:50.640 I have Rob with your choice home care. Rob, did you want to say anything or come on up? Right. >> Thank you, Rob. >> Thank you, Captain. >> You might have to adjust up. >> Yeah. Well, that I can maybe do this, right? Um, well, thank you. Thank you, 31 00:09:50.640 --> 00:10:08.560 Captain Gerva. Thank you to the administration here at Edison for putting this together. It's a really special event. Um, where I tell you what I do with your choice home care. First and foremost, I'm a dad of two children with autism. 32 00:10:08.560 --> 00:10:26.079 um and grew up in Edison and uh lots changed since you know growing up in the 70s and riding your bike around and drinking out of the creek but one thing that hasn't changed right is the heart of this community uh and it is something special here that we're doing and it doesn't happen in a lot of communities 33 00:10:26.079 --> 00:10:43.600 so again thank you um your choice home care what we can do what we can help you with so primarily we provide DSPs or direct support professionals uh to families to help with um activities of daily living uh 34 00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:59.279 and things of that nature. We also are an um advocate and partner with a lot of great organizations. A lot uh of them are here today uh Dorene especially with Autism New Jersey. Um, and so we can 35 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:15.279 help you with that because we know the process and I know personally the process of going through your um, IEPs when you're in school and fighting for every service uh, and then when you kind of fall off the cliff as they say and 36 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:32.240 they turn 21 and get into the Medicaid uh, programs and all of those services go away. know the paperwork and and just dealing with Medicaid and the New Jersey Department of Developmental Disabilities and all that. We're here for you and we're advocates and you know my north 37 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:47.440 star is my kids. Um we like to provide that to the community. Um and so again, thank you all for coming. Uh I want to uh stress what kind of one of the things that Dorene said is your feedback. So important, right, for us to make things 38 00:11:47.440 --> 00:12:04.959 better here. This is I guess we were here last year and one of the things that came up last year, right, was with the blue envelope program. I I frankly even thought of it as hey, you know, this is something for individuals with autism as they're driving. We see that 39 00:12:04.959 --> 00:12:21.920 it's for parents, too, right? Parents, guardians, caregivers, when they're in the car, you know, individual that you're caring for maybe in the back seat, whatever it is. same thing when they get pulled over, it's an event, right, for for them and and being able to navigate that. So, your feedback on 40 00:12:21.920 --> 00:12:42.279 on things that we can do better uh is greatly appreciated and helps everyone. So, thank you very much for coming today. >> Thank you, Rob, and thank you for coming out. Me and Rob really go back a long way in Edison. 41 00:12:43.600 --> 00:13:00.880 As an added bonus today, one of our big autism advocates in the community, especially in Edison, is Brian KTO. And he wanted to come up and speak. I met him at uh National Night Out. I was instantly impressed with him. He told me 42 00:13:00.880 --> 00:13:25.600 he wanted to speak and advocate. And I'm going to give him this platform today. Brian, why don't you come on up? >> Hello everyone and uh thank you Captain Gerba for this opportunity to uh share today. U I am Brian KTO. I am a lifelong 43 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:42.320 Edison resident uh nearly 37 years. Uh I uh went to the public schools here in this town. If it weren't for the uh teachers and speech pathologists um and the support of family, I would 44 00:13:42.320 --> 00:14:01.600 not be uh where I am today. Uh I uh do a lot of autism advocacy uh through uh social media uh through videos and uh sharing stuff uh uh uh fun stuff uh 45 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:20.320 sometimes speaking and I uh I aim for uh all kinds of audiences u so officers, parents who of uh children on the spectrum. Uh and uh for 46 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:37.920 my regular job, I I work for a nonprofit that helps uh provide a job placement for uh special needs adults uh throughout Middle Sex County. So, >> what are they called? What's the name of your organization? 47 00:14:37.920 --> 00:14:56.639 >> Uh the Thank you. Uh the organization is called ESW Occupational Services located in Edison but serves all of Middle Sex County. Uh and uh we've been around for uh nearly 50 years. Uh it is 47 now and 48 00:14:56.639 --> 00:15:10.880 I've personally been with it for over 17. Um and uh and I got job coaching through the organization myself. Uh and 49 00:15:10.880 --> 00:15:28.000 uh it it's been uh veh uh good for me. Uh and we we don't uh work with u helping people be able to drive per se. Uh but certainly it can help for those 50 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:51.360 who may need some help looking for a job uh that they have that independence. So, uh, so we're we're here and I'm here. Thank you so much. It's actually life-changing adding Brian 51 00:15:51.360 --> 00:16:07.519 as a Facebook friend because I get to see he travels all over the state to be an advocate. So, he's doing a fantastic job. beyond his job. He's a what do we say like a social media influencer as well. Um we're going to get into the 52 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:22.959 PowerPoint right now and then we'll we'll head outside. I just wanted to make you guys aware of a couple things. I brought up the public safety aid which I recommend and the prosecutor's office has information on that. We also carry 53 00:16:22.959 --> 00:16:38.959 Carter sensitivity kits in our police car and they have different sensory assistants. There's a warming blanket inside. There's sensory uh toys and everything else. So, we have officers already actively using them in uh 54 00:16:38.959 --> 00:16:53.600 volatile situations and we found the kits to be extremely helpful. So, those kits are actually in all our supervisor cars right now. Um blue envelope is going to come up as part of our presentation. So, let me open up the laptop and we will get into the safe 55 00:16:53.600 --> 00:17:23.360 traffic stops. And after we're done, we will head outside with Sergeant Mitchowski, Detective Depalo, and Officer Waldrin from NJIT and just reading what it says off. It is our goal for every traffic stop to end 56 00:17:23.360 --> 00:17:42.960 safely for all those involved. And this is the uh this is what a blue envelope looks like. We have them Matt has them out front. There's uh information on the front and the back. The information um on the front is for 57 00:17:42.960 --> 00:18:00.000 the driver and what materials you should have inside. And the information on the back is for police officers as a reminder. And like I said, we have a bunch of these blue envelopes out at the front table. So, please help yourself. Uh Rob 58 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:18.799 even mentioned they're not necessarily for the driver anymore. They're for passengers as well. They're to make officers aware. And again, it it helps keep everybody safe. These are just instructions of what we do with the blue envelope. Putting in an 59 00:18:18.799 --> 00:18:37.440 emergency contact card, copy your driver's license, registration, and insurance. If the officer has all that information, it makes the stop go a lot quicker and smoother. And place the blue envelope in a place where you know it is, the glove box or 60 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:57.840 above the visor. Yes, sir. When in terms of where to place it, I have mine on the visor um because the officer can immediately see that when they, you know, when when they pull up and you're not kind of going into your low box. So, just want to 61 00:18:57.840 --> 00:19:13.919 >> Yeah, that's a great point, Rob. Thank you. And sometimes there is anxiety in the car. And if that blue envelope is right there where the officer sees it right away, if there's nervousness or anything else, I I think that's a great tip. Um just 62 00:19:13.919 --> 00:19:31.600 everybody feels anxiety when a police officer activates their lights behind them. Even I feel anxiety when I'm off duty and a police officer is behind me. So, I could imagine you as a civilian, especially new drivers and especially those on the autism spectrum, and that's 63 00:19:31.600 --> 00:19:49.360 the whole point of our event today. We want to shake those nerves out. It's okay to feel anxious. Everybody does. So, that's completely normal. Officers conduct traffic stops to keep you and others safe on the road. 64 00:19:49.360 --> 00:20:07.200 Traffic stops are stressful for everybody involved, including the police officer. And it's stressful for us because we don't know anything about the person in that vehicle, what's in the vehicle, or anything else. So, the stress is definitely on on both ends. 65 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:23.280 If you are pulled over, officers are required to treat you with respect and professionalism. And that's what we expect in Edison. Everything is on body cam. Everything is filmed. So, we do expect professionalism from our 66 00:20:23.280 --> 00:20:43.360 officers. And this is the main part right here. What do we actually do when we're part of a traffic stop? First thing you do to pull over safely, look for a safe space to pull over. If 67 00:20:43.360 --> 00:21:00.799 you're on a major highway like Route One, we would not want you to stop right where you are. We would like you to pull over ideally into a parking lot or off to a shoulder. You're going to indicate that you're getting pulled over with your turn signal ideally and you'll 68 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:20.480 slowly pull over to a safe spot on the side of the road. You're going to roll your window down so officers can talk to you. The officer may come on the passenger side of the vehicle. And I had just mentioned a major highway like Route 69 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:36.159 One. It wouldn't make sense and it'd be a lot more dangerous for us to approach from the driver's side. So, a lot of times officers will come on the passenger side. That's way. That way. If you if you look and you see the officer coming the other way, you roll down that 70 00:21:36.159 --> 00:21:56.640 window. Keep your hands visible on the wheel. Officers want to feel safe. They want to feel like you're not grabbing for anything. So, wait for the officer to ask you for your license and documents before you start reaching for your wallet or other things. But, it's ideal 71 00:21:56.640 --> 00:22:15.919 to keep your hands visible at all times. And don't get unnerved if there's a lot of police officers. It says, "Why so many officers?" It's not unusual for us if we're on duty on patrol and we hear another officer do a traffic stop. It's 72 00:22:15.919 --> 00:22:34.080 normal for other officers to arrive and come as backup. And sometimes we have even officers in training and it's good for them to see how a traffic stop works and how to be good backup. Provide the documents when you're asked 73 00:22:34.080 --> 00:22:50.320 by the officer. He'll ask you for your driver's license registration and insurance. We just went over that with the blue envelope. All that information is in there already. That's what makes it convenient. and expect the officer to take your documents and go back to his 74 00:22:50.320 --> 00:23:06.240 vehicle. Yes, sir. >> Or do you think it's best to give the whole envelope to the officer? >> You give the whole envelope to the officer. Yeah, that would be best. Everything's in there already and that way they can sort through it. 75 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:26.080 >> Have it in there already. >> Yeah. Yeah. Have it in there already. Absolutely. Yes. Yes, sir. And what you're going to do, you're going to wait in the car. The officer could be checking to see if your driver's license is valid. Uh could be checking to see if the registration is 76 00:23:26.080 --> 00:23:46.480 valid. And wait for the officer to come back. He will tell you what to do next. This is very important, too. Only get out of your vehicle if the officer instructs you to do so. Um, it's for everybody's safety. Always stay behind 77 00:23:46.480 --> 00:24:06.080 the wheel and just wait for that officer to give you instructions. Officers can ask you to exit the vehicle for any reason and they may also ask for passengers to get out of the vehicle. So, basically, we're just waiting for officer's 78 00:24:06.080 --> 00:24:25.039 instructions. Once we're stopped and stay parked until you're told to leave, the officer will tell you when you could leave. Wait for the officer to be safely back into their car before you leave and use 79 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:46.400 your directional and pull out safely into the roadway. What about my passengers? Passengers should also remain calm and keep their hands visible. They should be basically doing the same things as the drivers. And passengers may also be 80 00:24:46.400 --> 00:25:06.080 asked for identification. So just be prepared for that. This is important too because this is a circumstance that we we see a lot of and there's that nervousness and anxiety. What do you do if you get into a car accident? 81 00:25:06.080 --> 00:25:22.559 If there are no injuries and the damage is minor, move the vehicles to the side of the road. It's very important because we will have accidents. They're minor in nature and we don't want to make that turn into something more significant. 82 00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:37.360 So, you want to be safe. You pull over to the closest spot with the other driver. You make sure that everybody is okay. And the main objective, I mentioned Route One before. Major highways, we want to kind of keep 83 00:25:37.360 --> 00:25:52.640 ourselves out of harm's way as much as we can and pull over to the side of the road. You'll turn your hazards on to warn other drivers that something has happened, call 911, and wait for officers to 84 00:25:52.640 --> 00:26:08.640 arrive. And you could provide your paperwork when uh officers get there. Now, sometimes there's major car accidents, there's major damage, and your vehicle cannot be moved. We don't expect you to move your vehicle. Stay in your vehicle. Keep your hazards on. Wait 85 00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:36.720 for officers to arrive. Contact your insurance company. That'll come at some point, too. So, at the conclusion of the stop, the officer may issue a summon. He may give you a warning. 86 00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:59.120 That's up to the officer's discretion. You may agree or not agree with the summons roadside, but that's not a place to argue. If you would like to dispute the summons, court is where you would go for that. And like I said before, officers have to 87 00:26:59.120 --> 00:27:16.360 be professional. If you have an issue with their behavior, then that could become an issue with internal affairs. You have a right to file a complaint against the officer in the event that you thought you were being treated unprofessionally, 88 00:27:18.320 --> 00:27:40.559 but you do have to follow the officer's instructions at the scene. Does anybody have questions? So you sometimes there's an accident it's said that don't necessarily move to that location otherwise it would be miscon 89 00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:56.720 but still it's okay to pull over the side that that scene would be a little different than if you pull over. We kind of said if it's if it's a minor accident, like sometimes I I know these are these are judgment calls, but if it's a very minor accident, we'd much 90 00:27:56.720 --> 00:28:12.480 rather keep somebody safer than be on a highway. If it's a major accident, I think it's important, the most important thing to take out of it, put your hazards on right away. That way, that alerts other vehicles. um 91 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:28.640 minor little like scratches, get those cars off the road. If it's major damage, then we'll keep our cars kind of in place and wait for the police to get there. >> And you end up Is that broken or it's just a physical envelope that anybody can have? 92 00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:43.520 >> It's a physical envelope and we have them out front with all the instructions on it. as they're for individuals, drivers or passengers on the autism spectrum and 93 00:28:43.520 --> 00:29:00.159 they help officer there. There you go. Look at that. Sergeant Mitchkowsky right on the spot. >> But we found them to be very successful in New Jersey so far. I'm I'm sorry, Darene. Go ahead. Um, I just wanted to 94 00:29:00.159 --> 00:29:16.559 to echo Rob's um, advice that um, it's something Autism New Jersey also recommends that again it's not just for um, a driver on the spectrum, also for neurotypical drivers. If you have an occupant or passenger in the vehicle 95 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:31.760 who's on the spectrum. Um, so important because what if there there were to be an accident and the neurotypical driver was incapacitated, right? So, so the blue envelope or some other insignia on the car if you have like Rob said the 96 00:29:31.760 --> 00:29:47.440 blue envelope on the visor, right? Um is kind of an immediate cue when and first responders from uh and police uh respond and they see that um and they understand that this is going to require again a different approach. Um, also for a motor vehicle stop, it's important that the 97 00:29:47.440 --> 00:30:02.640 neurotypical driver notify law enforcement immediately that there could be an occupant in the vehicle um who may, you know, react or be triggered by lights and sirens. So, I I completely echo uh what Rob says and Autism New Jersey takes that that position as well. 98 00:30:02.640 --> 00:30:18.080 You can very easily alter the envelope to write passenger on it. Um, so that's completely fine. A lot of the counties are doing that. Um, and again, I love these questions. Feedback's phenomenal. Um, we have a survey on our website for Autism New Jersey, specifically for law 99 00:30:18.080 --> 00:30:33.600 enforcement and autism friendly practices. Please feel free to visit our website autism NJ.org. And um, we also have a number if you if you don't remember anything else about autism uh, New Jersey, please remember 100 00:30:33.600 --> 00:30:49.600 8004 the number four autism u amazing information services team. We'd love your feedback. Please reach out to us. and it's a nonprofit free of charge. We'll help you navigate the system. Thank you. One thing I would like to add that if child has a behavior on it's 101 00:30:49.600 --> 00:31:08.159 such a good child having a tantrum and you are distracted by that and I'm like I just you know that happens. So it's so good to have this knowing that there was really a thing that was going on that absolutely. 102 00:31:08.159 --> 00:31:25.520 >> Thank you. It's actually one thing uh I think it may be a question but also that we go into places all the time where we need to pull out our license uh to show a form of ID um for an event we're 103 00:31:25.520 --> 00:31:43.279 attending or um like a motor vehicle um the DMV. Um, so I think what you would do since they the blue envelope is to be uh you have the license in your blue 104 00:31:43.279 --> 00:32:00.000 envelope. I would imagine that you would have to have like a copy of it in there at all times cuz cuz I think that there are places where we have we would have to take out and make sure we bring it >> be because of your social media presence 105 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:15.679 and and excellence. What I would say is you're you're somebody who uses your ID often. It's fine if you want to just put your registration and insurance in the blue envelope and you could tell the officer, "My ID is inside my wallet. Is it okay to retrieve that?" I think that 106 00:32:15.679 --> 00:32:31.760 might be the best specific approach for you. For sure. >> You got it. Anytime. All right. Sergeant Mitchkowski, he's going to give instructions on what to do outside, but he wanted to say a few words about what he does real really quickly. 107 00:32:31.760 --> 00:32:48.399 >> Before he starts, this question, can there be a copy of the of the license until the officer sees it and says, "Okay, where's the original in my wallet?" >> Yeah, it's it's fine. Yeah, we we could take a copy of it. That would definitely 108 00:32:48.399 --> 00:33:06.640 be helpful if you wanted to do that. Yeah, sure. Sure. >> Cassie >> to obtain a blue envelope. Um I just wanted to share my experience and then maybe talk about us in a little bit. But there there was no um just go to the 109 00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:22.000 police department and they'll give you one, right? You don't have to sign up. You don't have to show proof of of an intellectual developmental disability. Just go there and and and and they'll give you one. Yeah, that's that's an important thing to point out because I 110 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:38.880 brought up the um public safety aid, which is sort of a registry and enrollment. That's to help us when we go on calls and it's online and you're giving all your information. A blue envelope, we don't track them. They don't have numbers. They're for you 111 00:33:38.880 --> 00:33:55.120 guys. They're they're a resource and they're for to assist with uh with our police officers when we're on a stop. Is this sorry a one quick question thing a nationwide thing as well? 112 00:33:55.120 --> 00:34:11.280 >> So there are many counties throughout the state who have initiated this and that's what Dorene as the director of the law enforcement initiative with uh Autism New Jersey. We're pressing we're county by county in the state of New 113 00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:28.480 Jersey. I think we have 20 counties are on board with it. So, in those 20 counties, that means all those police departments are on board. So, it's as simple as going in and uh wherever somebody's local police department is. I know we have mostly uh 114 00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:46.000 Edison people in the room today, so we're covered. We absolutely have them here. But if somebody's in another location, the odds are that they're available uh at that PD. >> Yes. before uh Connecticut actually started 115 00:34:46.000 --> 00:35:02.720 the program. So New Jersey stole from Connecticut um and thankfully and it spread throughout um it's I believe in California not statewide um in departments in Arizona and I just read yesterday that Massachusetts is now starting on low program. 116 00:35:02.720 --> 00:35:17.200 >> Thank you. >> Thank you Dorene. All right. Okay, Sergeant Mishkowski, you have the floor. >> Thank you, Captain. >> Thank you, Captain. Just a couple words about what I do. Uh, I'm in charge of 117 00:35:17.200 --> 00:35:34.160 the arrive team here in Edison. And what that is, um, anyone who's in a crisis situation or needs resources, and this goes out to the parents, too. um you're under immense stress in different situations and we want as a department and it's um statewide is we're here to 118 00:35:34.160 --> 00:35:51.200 help you out whether it's different resources of someone to speak to or how to help out the child or whatever it is um we work in crisis situations where I always tell people seconds and minutes matter no different than the aid registry that the captain had spoken about is why I know majority of the 119 00:35:51.200 --> 00:36:06.320 people in this room are are are registered for it but those who aren't the reason why I I think it's so crucial. When I was a young patrolman and I'm in that police car, it's great if I get a um description of someone with a white t-shirt and jeans, but if 120 00:36:06.320 --> 00:36:21.359 you go on a summer day in any park, that's 3/4 of the people that are there. Good luck trying to find that person when it's threequarters of the people. When I mean minutes and seconds matter is when we're able to go there and we're able to have that photo photograph of 121 00:36:21.359 --> 00:36:38.800 that person right then and there. That could be the difference between finding your child in minutes or hours. And we want to find in minutes if not seconds. But that's the best way I can describe that is why it's so crucial and why it's so important. So the same thing 122 00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:55.520 with the arrive team. If anyone is going through that crucial situation, if anyone and I, it could be anyone in your family. It could be a mother, brother, sister, cousin, whomever. If they need help, we're able to come there. We we teamed up with Ruckers. Um, as far as 123 00:36:55.520 --> 00:37:11.920 their APS screeners, we have two of the best. I'm a little biased. We have Beth and Melissa. I think they're fantastic. This isn't just an Edisonwide thing, too. If you're in Piscataway, New Brunswick, Woodbridge, you'd be seeing myself in the screeners, too. So, this is a statewide initiative, not just an 124 00:37:11.920 --> 00:37:29.040 Edison thing. But this is why I think it's so important. So, I just wanted to get that information before we start up of of why this is so crucial. Um, I can't tell you what great resource it is for the guys and girls in the road where they're able to call me and say, "Hey, I think we have a crisis situation. Can we 125 00:37:29.040 --> 00:37:46.079 can we get someone to come in there to deescalate the situation?" And that's the key is to deescalate the situation. You know, it's it's like the captain was explaining before, car stops, whether the police show up to the house, it's a stressful situation. No one's calling 911 to say hello. It's usually the worst 126 00:37:46.079 --> 00:38:01.920 time of your life that you're calling 911. and we want to be able there not only to be professional, do the right thing, but to deescalate the situation immediately and calm it all down. So, thank you very much for your time. Um, as soon as we're done here, we're going to be lining up downstairs. I'll give 127 00:38:01.920 --> 00:38:52.000 you a little further instructions and uh thank you again. All right, like we said, we're going to line you guys up downstairs and uh we will commence the Safe Stop program. Hi, sir. How are you doing today? 128 00:38:52.000 --> 00:39:14.640 >> Hello. Good morning. I'm doing well. Um, >> that's good. My name is Officer Walden. I'm with NGIT Police Department. Just to know you're being audio and video recorded. Sir, do you have your driver's license, registration, insurance card on you? >> Yes, I do. >> Okay. Hey, can I please see that? >> Thank you so much, sir. The reason why I 129 00:39:14.640 --> 00:39:35.280 pulled you over is because you have a tail light out. Didn't want to see you get into an accident. So, I'm going to go back to my car. Okay. I'll be right back. Just hang out tightly. My partner's over here if you need anything. >> Thank you. >> So, that's a great job right there. So what happens right now is Would you mind 130 00:39:35.280 --> 00:39:50.400 just putting the window down for my partner right there? >> No. Some Yep. So sometimes Yes. No, it's fine. Sometimes the officers will ask for both windows down just so you can talk to the contact officer. Um so right now the officer is going back running registration, license, all that 131 00:39:50.400 --> 00:40:06.560 pertinent information. Um do you have any questions for us during this or anything that you think of? >> Um any questions or anything? So offic I should say officer Matthew officer >> that's completely fine. So if officer Waldron comes up and says hi I'm officer 132 00:40:06.560 --> 00:40:21.920 Waldron just say officer Waldron or you say officer Depalo whatever one you feel more comfortable with is no problem at all. So I really appreciate that. Uh that's a great question right there. So right now I'll say the officer's coming right back with your information. It looks like all your information has been 133 00:40:21.920 --> 00:40:39.040 run and I'll let the the traffic stop resume. Okay. Thank you. Hi, sir. All right. Hello. >> I'm going to give your stuff back. I'm going to give you a verbal warning for the light. Okay. Okay. You You can take this back. >> Thank you so much. I appreciate it. >> You're welcome. You have a good day. 134 00:40:39.040 --> 00:40:54.000 Okay. >> I have a I have some I have a little bit of question. My question is like I sometimes when the cop pulls over that when I get a little bit nervous or when the flashing light happens I just want to know how I could like I to just keep 135 00:40:54.000 --> 00:41:10.000 my hand on the wheel and then just wait for the further instructions but don't like get my stuff out right away. Right. >> Yes. So wait until the officer comes up to your window. So, your hand's going to be on a steering wheel and then once the officer asks for your license, registration, insurance card, that's 136 00:41:10.000 --> 00:41:25.839 when you have permission to go into your glove box and retrieve those papers. And sometimes right away, the officer will ask if you could put the window all the way down. At that point, you can take your hands off the steering wheel and press the button to put your window all the way down, just like how the sergeant 137 00:41:25.839 --> 00:41:42.680 was saying. >> But you did a good job and you're welcome. >> This was like role play. >> Oh, yes, it is role play. That's why we're here practicing. >> Perfect. Thank you guys so much. I appreciate it.