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Public input sought for alternatives to police in mental health response

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

On Thursday, Winston-Salem residents can weigh in on alternatives to police-only responses to 911 calls. The public input session will be focusing on mental health.

The event co-hosted by Winston Salem State University's Justice Studies program is part of ongoing research. It considers if and how the city should adopt a new protocol for responding to 911 calls relating to mental health crises. For roughly two years the city, in collaboration with RTI International, a nonprofit research institute, analyzed 911 call data to develop recommendations for improving responses by law enforcement and other first responders.

Advocates say that sending police officers to mental health calls can escalate tensions when someone — due to his or her mental state — is unable to comply with demands. They claim a different response would save money and reduce instances of citation, arrest, use of force and incarceration.

According to a press release nearly a dozen cities in the U.S. have already implemented alternative protocols for responding to mental health calls for service — many by utilizing co-response teams that pair police officers with mental health professionals. Greensboro, Raleigh and Charlotte have adopted this model.

The public input session is Thursday, April 7, at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber, 101 N. Main St., Winston-Salem.

 

Before his arrival in the Triad, David had already established himself as a fixture in the Austin, Texas arts scene as a radio host for Classical 89.5 KMFA. During his tenure there, he produced and hosted hundreds of programs including Mind Your Music, The Basics and T.G.I.F. Thank Goodness, It's Familiar, which each won international awards in the Fine Arts Radio Competition. As a radio journalist with 88.5 WFDD, his features have been recognized by the Associated Press, Public Radio News Directors Inc., Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals, and Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas. David has written and produced national stories for NPR, KUSC and CPRN in Los Angeles and conducted interviews for Minnesota Public Radio's Weekend America.

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