What's Happening?
Durham, North Carolina, is leading a national trend by deploying unarmed community response teams, known as the Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Team (HEART), to handle certain 911 calls instead of police officers. Launched in 2022, HEART has responded
to over 25,000 911 calls, addressing issues like trespassing, panhandling, intoxication, and welfare checks. The program includes a community response team, a limited co-response team with mental health clinicians paired with police, and a mental health clinician embedded in the 911 call center. Studies by the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) and Duke University indicate that the program is associated with fewer arrests, is helpful to police officers, and has increased 911 calls, suggesting growing public trust. This initiative is part of a broader movement in nearly 100 U.S. cities to reform 911 response since 2020.
Why It's Important?
This initiative represents a significant shift in public safety paradigms across the U.S., moving away from a solely law enforcement-centric response to a more community-oriented approach. By diverting non-violent calls to unarmed professionals, cities like Durham aim to reduce police-civilian confrontations, particularly in situations involving mental health crises or homelessness. This can lead to fewer arrests, improved community relations, and more appropriate care for individuals in need. The success of Durham's HEART program, as evidenced by preliminary studies, provides a model for other municipalities grappling with similar challenges. It also highlights the potential for cost savings by optimizing resource allocation, allowing police to focus on more serious crimes while specialized teams address social and health-related issues. This reform could fundamentally alter how public safety is conceived and delivered nationwide.
What's Next?
Durham plans to expand its efforts by launching a Stabilization Services division within the Community Safety Department. This new division aims to connect individuals with long-term resources such as housing, medical care, and behavioral health services, addressing the root causes of frequent 911 calls. The city's ambitious path suggests a commitment to systemic change beyond immediate crisis intervention. Other U.S. cities, including Baltimore, are considering modeling their programs after Durham's, indicating a potential for widespread adoption of this alternative response model. However, challenges remain, including securing adequate funding and ensuring that community response teams are authorized to handle a broader range of calls that do not explicitly involve mental health crises. Continued research and evaluation will be crucial to refine these programs and demonstrate their long-term effectiveness.
Beyond the Headlines
The shift towards unarmed community response teams in Durham and other cities reflects a profound re-evaluation of the role of law enforcement in society. It acknowledges that many 911 calls stem from social and health issues rather than criminal intent, and that an armed police response can often escalate rather than resolve these situations. This movement has ethical implications, promoting a more compassionate and humane approach to public safety, particularly for vulnerable populations. It also raises questions about systemic inequalities and the need for comprehensive social services to support communities. The success of these programs could lead to a redefinition of public safety, emphasizing prevention, intervention, and community support as integral components, rather than solely relying on punitive measures. This could foster greater trust between communities and public safety agencies, ultimately leading to more equitable and effective outcomes.
