UNARMED CRISIS RESPONSE’S PERFORMANCE REVIEW
A year ago, LA launched a program that sends trained clinicians, social workers, and mental health professionals to nonviolent 911 calls, instead of armed police officers.
One year in – it’s working better than even its staunchest advocates would have hoped:
- 6,738 calls diverted away from LAPD
- 96% handled entirely without police involvement
- Average response time: under 30 minutes (compared to multiple hours just a few years ago)
- Over 6,900 LAPD patrol hours saved (plus follow-up and paperwork)
How does it work?
When Angelenos call 911 in participating LAPD Divisions, operators reroute eligible nonviolent calls to unarmed crisis responders.
Here’s the breakdown of different call types:
Why it Matters
Not only is this a better approach to public safety, but it also saves tax dollars! An LAPD response costs 2.5x more than an unarmed team handling the same call, and the people responding to the call are trained to deal with the situation. This program makes our communities safer, saves money, and allows officers to focus on urgent, and often life threatening situations, instead of nuisance calls.
What’s Next?
The program currently operates in 6 of 21 police divisions (covering roughly one-third of Angelenos). This year’s city budget approved expansion to three more divisions.
Now, we need to focus on expanding the program citywide and have a system of public safety that best meets your needs—not a one-size-fits-all approach. And since this system saves us money, we can also make progress on other urgent needs.
One More Quick Hit
- 20 People Helped off the Streets and into Motel Rooms
We worked with the Mayor’s Inside Safe team last week to bring 20 unhoused Angelenos off the streets from a longstanding encampment on Sierra Vista Ave in East Hollywood and into motel rooms nearby.
In addition to having a safe, cool place to sleep amidst the ongoing heat wave, these residents are also paired with case management and support services to transition to permanent housing as quickly as possible.
CD13 Pet of the Week
Meet Belly, our Pet of the Week!
Belly or Pansita, as we like to call her, is a beautiful, doe-eyed Siberian husky – and true to her breed, she’s bursting with energy and love!
She’s so ready to find the Conrad to her Belly *wink-wink*
Looking to adopt Belly? Well, you’re in luck, the LA Animal Shelter is offering $20 adoption fees all Labor Day Weekend!