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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2024
***MEDIA INVITE***
CITY OF LOS ANGELES LAUNCHES UNARMED CRISIS RESPONSE PILOT
Initially operating in three LAPD service areas, the Unarmed Model of Crisis Response (UMCR)
program will dispatch mental health clinicians and other non-law enforcement personnel to certain 9-1-1 calls.
LOS ANGELES — The City of Los Angeles has launched the Unarmed Model of Crisis
Response (UMCR), a landmark pilot program that will see certain 9-1-1 calls carefully diverted to civilian crisis responders in place of armed law enforcement personnel.
Established as a pilot in three LAPD service areas — Southeast, Wilshire and Devonshire — the 24-hour program is staffed by teams of mental health professionals, community workers, and other specialists with three non-profit community-based organizations. Each team will include or be directly supervised by licensed clinicians, bringing in-depth knowledge of mental health disorders, therapeutic techniques, and evidence-based interventions. Additionally, the ability to assess and work with individuals in crisis allows for tailored and targeted interventions that can solve both immediate needs and lead to long term positive outcomes.
UMCR personnel will typically respond to calls for service that have a social services
component, do not involve violence, and are related to wellbeing checks; people experiencing homelessness; individuals suffering from a mental and/or behavioral health crisis; conflicts that could be resolved through mediation or other resolution strategies; and other low-acuity or non- criminal matters. LAPD 9-1-1 call-takers have been trained on which calls to divert to a specially-equipped, centralized dispatch center that will handle calls for all three organizations.
Councilwoman Rodriguez stated, “The Unarmed Model of Crisis Response (UMCR) pilot is a unique model that will address the important needs and structure of the City of Los Angeles and is designed to expand as service providers build capacity in order to serve and positively impact the lives of Angelenos in need for years to come. The program launched in three areas of the City will fill a current void in the many pilot programs that the City operates. The ability to assess and work with individuals in crisis allows for tailored and targeted outcomes to better our city and its residents and for long term positive outcomes.”
“From welfare check-ins, to non-violent mental health/drug issues, to minor health crises in encampments and elsewhere, we need more tools in our tool box to truly help Angelenos in need," said Blumenfield. "We can’t keep asking our police officers to also be social workers, mental health clinicians, and outreach workers and it’s important to move forward with this program."
UMCR staff at Exodus Recovery Inc, Alcott Center, and Penny Lane Centers have all been specially trained in matters of de-escalation, conflict resolution, substance abuse, cultural competency, and other areas of need. Team leadership includes a number of experienced professionals who have been instrumental in the creation and operation of success of similar initiatives in smaller jurisdictions, including the CAHOOTS program in Eugene, Ore.
“We are excited for this new partnership with the City of Los Angeles on the implementation of the UMCR,” said Naomi Novak, Penny Lane Centers’ Senior Director of Intensive Mental Health Services. “When the opportunity came about, it was clear that we wanted to be a part of this visionary program. We have decades of experience providing field-based services directly in the community and believe this program will provide the much-needed help at the right time. It is our goal to empower individuals through thoughtful support from a team who will attend to the crisis at hand and connect the individuals to necessary community resources and make an impact.”
“The Alcott Center is excited to be a part of the City’s UMCR pilot project,” said Alcott Center CEO Nick Maiorino. “Our hope is that this added tool will provide needed support to Angelenos in crisis while also freeing up police officers to focus on other critical challenges.”
With applied research support and technical assistance from the Harvard Kennedy School’s Government Performance Lab, the Office of the City Administrative Officer has been charged with development and day-to-day oversight of the UMCR. The CAO has also been directed to create a long-term framework for a potential citywide expansion, which will be based on L.A.- specific lessons learned over the course of the pilot.
WHO: Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez to discuss the City of Los Angeles launch of the Unarmed Crisis Response pilot
WHEN: Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at 9am PST
WHERE: Forecourt, 200 N. Spring St., 90012
For media inquires, please contact:
Alexia Valencia alexia@goodnesssakestrategies.com
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For media inquires, please contact:
Dario Molina dario@the3collective.com
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