What will it to take to keep our neighborhoods safe? 

Both progressives and conservatives agree we need an alternative to always calling the police. People usually at odds are in consensus that we need an unarmed response to non-violent emergency calls.  What would that look like and how would it operate?

In Denver,  they have created a tremendously successful and popular model. Denver STAR routinely and safely provides a mobile, civilian response to emergency calls about people experiencing problems related to mental health, depression, poverty, homelessness, and/or substance use issues. In this episode of What's Next, Los Angeles, Mike talks with two people deeply involved in the success of the Denver STAR program : Andrew Dameron, the director of the city's 911 system; and Chris Richardson, the associate director of clinical services for Wellpower, the region's mental health services agency.

If you'd like to learn more about the Denver STAR program,  you can visit the following sites, or email Andrew or Chris directly:

City of Denver
https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Public-Health-Environment/Community-Behavioral-Health/Behavioral-Health-Strategies/Support-Team-Assisted-Response-STAR-Program

Wellpower
https://www.wellpower.org/star-program/

Andrew Dameron - [email protected]
Chris Richardson - [email protected]

News Stories:

Study: Denver's STAR police-alternative program lowered crime and costs

How 911 dispatchers decide between mental health vs. police response

STAR Program Expanding to Meet Demand for Services

Denver STAR presentation to Los Angeles City Council (4/14/23):

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.