WARREN, Mich. – Police in Warren have launched a new partnership aimed at making emergency calls and traffic stops safer and less stressful for people with autism and other cognitive or developmental differences.
The initiative is a partnership with the SAVES Project, a nonprofit founded in 2025 focused on autism education and training for first responders.
Warren police said the goal is improving communication in high-stress encounters and helping officers recognize when someone may communicate differently.
“Better communication, that’s all that matters,” said Warren Police Officer Thomas Hogue.
Hogue said the policy is personal because his 7-year-old daughter has high-functioning autism.
“I know my daughter, but someone else might not know my daughter, and having something that could decrease her anxiety or her stress during a situation matters,” he said.
Warren police Lt. John Gajewski said the partnership is designed to help both officers and residents better understand each other in situations where seconds matter.
“This is an opportunity for us to bridge the gap, grow together, and ease those interactions through mutual understanding,” Gajewski said.
A key component is a confidential registry including communication preferences, triggers, calming strategies, medical considerations and emergency contacts.
The information can only be accessed by first responders when it is relevant to a call.
Residents can also pick up a “Blue Envelope,” which gives drivers a designated spot to keep their ID and registration, along with special guidance for officers during traffic stops.
Sarah Walko said the program makes her feel safer. She has a neurological disorder and worries about how symptoms could be interpreted in an emergency.
“So here are the QR codes,” Walko said as she demonstrated how the system works. “Police officers can scan that and pull up my file and know how to safely deal with me in a medical emergency situation.”
The SAVES Project is also offering identification cards, particularly for nonverbal individuals, to help emergency personnel quickly understand what’s happening
The program is completely free to residents. They can pick up a Blue Envelope and program information anytime in the lobby of the Warren Police Department headquarters.