15-5854 Bill 47 Refer to Special Committee Meeting
An ordinance of the City of Allentown approving the creation of a public health pilot program providing alternative first response to calls for service involving mental and behavioral health, substance use, welfare checks, and "quality of life" complaints such as family and neighbor disputes, issues related to unhoused persons, and calls about suspicious persons; authorizing the expenditure of four million, eighty two thousand dollars ($4,082,000.00) and calling for a Request for Proposals to be issued.
As kan Allentonian, and homeowner, I think this pilot program sending two person response teams to non-criminal situations in our city, such as mental health crises, would be a good thing. It's said that one fourth to 40% of the 911 calls are these kinds of calls, where mental health professionals and counselors or EMT's would be needed, not armed police and sirens.
A crisis response team is a necessary addition to our city's public safety infrastructure.
1. It saves the city money, like how Eugene Oregon saves $14 million with their program
2. Reduces arrests and crimes committed, like it did for Denver's STAR program
3. Frees up the police to focus on more serious threats to the community.
I urge you to consider the benefits of such a program and vote to pass Billl 47 and create a Mobile Community Response Team for Allentown. Thank you.
As kan Allentonian, and homeowner, I think this pilot program sending two person response teams to non-criminal situations in our city, such as mental health crises, would be a good thing. It's said that one fourth to 40% of the 911 calls are these kinds of calls, where mental health professionals and counselors or EMT's would be needed, not armed police and sirens.
A crisis response team is a necessary addition to our city's public safety infrastructure.
1. It saves the city money, like how Eugene Oregon saves $14 million with their program
2. Reduces arrests and crimes committed, like it did for Denver's STAR program
3. Frees up the police to focus on more serious threats to the community.
I urge you to consider the benefits of such a program and vote to pass Billl 47 and create a Mobile Community Response Team for Allentown. Thank you.