A major change is coming to Baltimore’s 911 system. Non-violent mental health calls will now go to a crisis hotline.The goal is to help people who really don t need police and let officers focus on violent crime. Approximately 13,000 calls come into our 911 system each year for people in crisis, Mayor Brandon Scott said in a news conference Friday to discuss the program. Starting in early June, those types of calls will be diverted to this location. The program is in partnership with the Behavioral Health System Baltimore and Baltimore Crisis Response Inc. Trained professionals will either handle the situation over the phone or if needed, send a mobile crisis unit to the scene. The 911 diversion pilot aims to get the right outcome for callers whenever they dial 911. And I want to emphasize this is a small step to a larger system wide overhaul that must take place, Scott said. The consensus is many of the behavioral health related calls could have been safely resolved without
This 911 Diversion Pilot program is an innovative step in the right direction”, Mayor Scott announced.
The program, run by Behavioral Health System Baltimore and Baltimore Crisis Response Inc., aims to get the appropriate responses and resources for callers whenever they dial 911.
“Approximately 13,000 calls come into our 9-1-1 system each year for people in crisis. Baltimore is home to world-class medical institutions, and we have an opportunity to deliver premier clinical care and supportive services to residents experiencing behavioral health and substance use crises,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “The citywide pilot my administration will launch this summer will allow our police officers to spend more time focusing on violence. I look forward to deepening this work and growing our public health diversion options over time, in partnership with community-based organizations.”
Baltimore pilot program aims to divert some 911 calls for behavioral health from police baltimoresun.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from baltimoresun.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby last month cut the cord on possession arrests that have been falling for many years, but the city is only inching toward establishing a wider public health response, and residents are voicing concern and frustration.