Title:
Title
911 Alternative Response Model - Office of Community Response
End
FileID
File ID: 2020-00794
Location
Location: Citywide
End
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Pass a Motion directing the City Manager to: 1) develop alternative response models for 911 calls that do not require a sworn police officer and are not related to a Fire Department or Emergency Medical Service (EMS) response, which proposals may include the creation of a new city division with required staffing and/or the ability to contract out specific referrals to qualified community-based organizations; and 2) prioritize an initial assessment of these types of calls and bring back to City Council for review within 45 days and again at regular intervals over the next two years to inform and effective transition.
FileName
Contact: Kelly Fong Rivas, Chief of Staff, (916) 808-5300, Office of Mayor Darrell Steinberg
Body
Presenter: Mayor Darrell Steinberg, (916) 808-5300, Office of Mayor Darrell Steinberg
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Warren-911-Emergency Assistance Act
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The City’s traditional emergency services--including police, fire, and EMT services--are not equipped to resolve the types of crises that are discussed in this memo. The inability of traditional emergency services to resolve crisis situations, particularly in cases of mental health crisis and intimate partner violence, has created a revolving door between the streets, the jails, and the emergency rooms in cities across the country. As it stands now, police are only equipped with temporary and generally ineffective measures to respond to crisis situations.
The City of Sacramento currently dispatches only traditional emergency services including Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services to 911 calls. However, these responders often are not adequately equipped, authorized or trained to resolve certain emergencies or crisis situations such as behavioral health, addiction, and homelessness. Additionally, these traditional first responders do not have ready access to treatment options beyond jails and emergency rooms. The result is a cycle of futility as complex behavioral issues move through our streets, jails, and emergency rooms without resolution. Additionally, the capacity of our police, firefighters and EMS to respond to urgent 911 calls that they can resolve is effectively diminished.
In 2019, the Sacramento Police Department experienced a 14% rise in mental health 911 calls and over the last 12 months our Fire Department experienced a 15% increase in mental health calls. Creation of alternative first responder capabilities like mobile mental health crisis teams could provide other options that could better resolve situations inappropriate for a Police or EMS first responder. Several Cities and Counties are considering similar alternative first responder models such as Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS) in Eugene, OR and Youth Justice Coalition, in Los Angeles. While these programs are very specific to those city’s unique needs and cannot adequately address our community’s needs, they do offer examples we can consider. We also have the innovative MH First program here in Sacramento that has been a volunteer led operation since January 2020 that offers participants an alternative number to call during crisis. Our Fire Department has also recently been involved in an initiative to use differentiated dispatch of 911 calls and conducted a promising demonstration of a Mobile Integrated Health prototype. Our Police Department has also created a new Mental Health Unit managed by a certified Social Worker to improve response modalities including an effort to place mental health workers within the dispatch center. Additionally, the City Council has directed that Coronavirus Relief Funding be allocated toward improved domestic violence support, family mental health interventions and a prototype sobering center that offer alternative response opportunities.
Policy Considerations: The actions recommended in this report are consistent with
The City’s 2035 General Plan: PHS 1.1.2 Response Time Standards, “The City shall strive to achieve and maintain optimal response times for all call priority levels to provide adequate police services for the safety of all city residents and visitors” and PHS 2.1.2, “The City shall strive to maintain emergency response times that provide optimal fire protection and emergency medical services to the community.” The alternative response model will also operate in accordance with the Warren-911-Emergency Assistance Act definition of a public safety agency as a public agency which provides firefighting, police, medical, or other emergency services.
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
Environmental Considerations: This project is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Government Code §§ 65660 & 65662.
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
Rationale for Recommendation: Creating an alternative response models for 911 calls that do not require a sworn Police Officer and are not related to a Fire or EMS response will allow for the most appropriate first responder to service emergency calls. This may include the creation of a new city division with required staffing and/or the ability to contract out specific referrals to qualified community-based organizations as necessary for the most efficient and well supported response options. At no time, should there be a gap in service to residents calling 911.
Financial Considerations: The City Manager will recommend reallocation of current budget to dedicate $5 million to start this reform project with the goal of effectively transferring these types of non-medical, fire, or law enforcement calls for emergency service to alternative first responders over the next two years. At the end of the first year, the reduction in calls to sworn Police Officers and Fire Fighter/EMS will be assessed to determine what cost savings can be applied to support this other emergency services model. An initial assessment of these types of calls shall be prioritized and brought back to council for review within 45 days and again at regular intervals over the next two years to inform an effective transition.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.