Latest Community Safety Department Updates

The Community Safety Department is excited to announce that the CARE Team is now responding to 911 calls. 

Over the summer, the CARE Team began responding to mental health-related calls and delivering notifications for emergencies that do not concern criminal matters, investigations or homicides. 

During the first few days of expanded calls, the CARE Team responded to six calls from the City’s Emergency Communications Department. Four of these calls were a direct request for a CARE Team response and two were mental health-related calls. One response occurred at a local library, in which a community member was experiencing mental health distress. The CARE Team was able to help the community member on-site, and then find them a local shelter thanks to the strong relationship they have established with First Step, who helps bridge the City with essential services such as shelter and mental health services.  

The CARE Team also works with community members to provide case management and referrals. Since spring of 2024, the CARE Team has served dozens of community members on an ongoing basis. Case management services include housing search, addressing food insecurity, eviction aid, emotional support, referrals to partner organizations and other basic need support and services. The CARE Team has also cultivated strong relationships with local organizations, like the Salvation Army and Christ Church Cambridge, to better support community members.  

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CSD is happy to announce further expansion of its team with the hiring of two new clinicians. 

Patricia (Patty) Contente is a licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked in community mental health for 30+ years. She has played a leadership role in program development and collaboration with stakeholders and has successfully implemented programs to address overdose response, suicide prevention and jail diversion. Patty is an experienced trainer and is certified in a number of national programs including: Blue Courage, Resiliency Advantage, Recovery Coach Academy, Mental Health First Aid and most recently Trauma Informed Care for the Criminal Justice System.  

Kelly Fineran received her bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in NYC, where she lived and worked for 10 years. After returning to the New England area for graduate school, she received her master’s degree in counseling and forensic psychology from William James College. Over the last 15 years of her career, Kelly has worked as a crisis clinician, correction clinician, outpatient therapist, and most recently a co-response clinician embedded in police departments. Kelly has a strong clinical background in crisis management, de-escalation, and risk assessment.

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Earlier this fall, the Community Safety Department (CSD) partnered with the Central Square Business Improvement District (BID) and Community Engagement Team (CET) to host a community block party geared towards serving the unhoused and other community members in need within the city of Cambridge. Over 100 community members were served at the event which included music, games, food, generously donated free haircuts by local barbers from Temple of Groom, as well as warm winter clothing and personal care items given away to all attendees.

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The Cambridge Police Department (CPD) has been working closely with the Cambridge Community Safety Department’s CARE team as they respond to 9-1-1 calls. Police Commissioner Christine Elow says this new resource is an opportunity to help the City of Cambridge enhance its outreach:

"As has been demonstrated in other cities, having a non-police response to a limited and select number of 9-1-1 calls can be beneficial to the community. Our officers have many responsibilities day-to-day and having a partner who can respond to certain calls will be a valuable resource for our most vulnerable. CPD is committed to finding innovative ways to approach our work to provide services to everyone in our community.

Early on, CPD contributed to the CARE Team's training, while also having their staff spend time with our officers and professional staff in the field, which we believe has helped build a foundation for future growth. Any new work in progress requires collaboration and we are open and excited about this partnership."