Eugene Police Department Launches Program to Respond to Mental Health-Related Calls in Downtown
The Eugene Police Department has recently launched a new program aimed at providing non-criminal situations with the necessary resources to prevent escalation and help individuals get on a path to wellness. Funded initially through the Community Safety Payroll Tax, the program is now expanding with the help of a $550,000 Bureau of Justice Assistance grant.
Under this program, Lane County Behavioral Health professionals will be embedded with police officers to respond to mental health-related calls in downtown Eugene. The aim is to provide individuals with the necessary support and resources to improve their safety and overall sense of well-being in the community.
Police Chief Chris Skinner believes that by stabilizing individuals downtown, there will be fewer calls for police service, ultimately improving safety in the area. He envisions expanding the program city-wide in the future, with the support of Lane County’s plans to establish a stabilization center as an alternative to jail for individuals with behavioral health issues.
The program collaborates with Lane County and complements CAHOOTS, a mobile crisis intervention service in Eugene, by providing resources and case management for more complex and potentially risky calls. With the addition of a second co-responder and a peer support specialist, who will work alongside police officers in civilian clothes, the program aims to address mental health-related calls effectively.
By providing individuals with access to professional help and resources, this program seeks to improve safety and promote wellness in Eugene’s downtown area.
