What's Happening?
The Baltimore City Council is currently reviewing a proposal to establish a new Department of Neighborhood Safety. This department would be responsible for dispatching alternative responders, rather than police officers, to certain 911 calls, particularly
those involving nonviolent emergencies and individuals experiencing mental health crises. City leaders estimate that approximately 22,000 911 calls annually could be more effectively handled by these alternative responders. The initiative also includes plans to replace the city's existing 911 dispatch system. This proposal follows two hearings by the City Council over the past year, which examined Baltimore's current efforts to divert specific 911 calls. Officials concluded that existing options were not consistently providing appropriate and timely responses for residents in mental health crises. City Council President Zeke Cohen and staff from Mayor Brandon Scott's office studied Durham, North Carolina's Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Team (HEART) program, which dispatches trained teams to nonviolent emergencies not requiring medical intervention. The proposed department aims to house mental health clinicians and peer responders to address these nonviolent emergencies and would formally integrate the work of the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE).
Why It's Important?
This initiative is significant for Baltimore as it represents a shift in how the city addresses nonviolent emergencies and mental health crises, potentially improving outcomes for residents and optimizing resource allocation. By diverting a substantial number of 911 calls from police, the city aims to provide more appropriate and trauma-informed care, which could lead to better de-escalation of situations and more effective support for individuals in distress. This approach could also free up police resources to focus on violent crimes, potentially enhancing public safety. The emphasis on mental health clinicians and peer responders reflects a growing understanding of the specialized support needed for mental health-related calls, moving away from a solely law enforcement-centric response. The integration of MONSE's work within this new department suggests a coordinated effort to address neighborhood safety comprehensively, beyond traditional policing methods. This model could serve as a blueprint for other U.S. cities grappling with similar challenges in emergency response and mental health support.
What's Next?
The Baltimore City Council will continue to deliberate on the proposal to create the Department of Neighborhood Safety. If approved, the next steps would involve establishing the new department, hiring and training mental health clinicians and peer responders, and implementing the new 911 dispatch system. The city will likely develop protocols for identifying and routing appropriate calls to the alternative response teams. There will also be a focus on formally incorporating the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) into the new department's structure. The success of this initiative will depend on effective training, community engagement, and continuous evaluation of its impact on emergency response times, resident well-being, and overall public safety. Other cities may closely watch Baltimore's progress as they consider similar reforms to their emergency services.
