New York City announced that, starting in February, the city would start a pilot program in two high-need communities in which health professionals would be the primary responders to emergency calls dealing with mental health issues, Bloomberg reports.
The program reflects a commitment by Mayor Bill de Blasio to de-escalate situations where people in crisis are confronted with armed law enforcement officers who have little training in dealing with people experiencing a mental health crisis.
“For the first time in our city’s history, health responders will be the default responders for a person in crisis, making sure those struggling with mental illness receive the help they need,” de Blasio said in the statement announcing the program.
Armed officers would still respond to calls in which there is a danger to public safety or when there is a weapon involved, but for most mental health calls, health professionals and crisis workers from the city fire department’s emergency medical services would be the primary responders.
The pilot project follows other programs starting up in cities like Los Angeles, Denver and San Francisco with aim to help people in need instead of responding with force. It comes after public protests to actions by police departments around the country where police used deadly force in various non-threatening situations.