Community Safety Department Makes Immediate Impact In Community Following Launch of 9-1-1 Response
Monday, March 17, 2025
After years of discussions, advocacy, planning and hard work, the Community Safety Department’s CARE Team launched its 9-1-1 response and support for the community in 2024. This reimagined public safety agency has resulted in well-trained, compassionate and committed civilians – who are unarmed – being dispatched to mental health crisis calls, well-being and quality of life checks, delivering notifications for emergencies not concerning criminal matters, investigations or homicides, and other responses.
A response early after launch 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 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.
A more recent response resulted in a community member, who had been seeking help getting into a detox facility, securing a bed and receiving much-needed ongoing treatment. CARE Team staff initially located the community member, struggling with a substance abuse disorder, sitting on the front steps of a residence. They were seeking to be supported at a particular detox facility where they had prior success with, but were unable to complete the intake process and get admitted on their own due to their condition. A CARE Team clinician explored options for transportation and referral plans, and ultimately was able to successfully secure admittance for the community member.
By the end of 2024, the CARE Team was dispatched to nearly 200 9-1-1 calls, not including needle pickup calls that resulted in nearly 1,600 needles being safely removed from our streets and parks. They served more than 150 community members via their crisis response efforts. Approximately 94% of their calls mitigated the need for any police involvement.
The CARE Team also works with community members to provide case management and referrals. Since spring of 2024, the CARE Team has served approximately 60 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.
The Cambridge Police Department has been working closely with the Cambridge Community Safety Department’s CARE team. Police Commissioner Christine Elow says this new resource is an opportunity to help the City of Cambridge enhance its overall outreach. "Our officers have many responsibilities day-to-day and having a partner who can respond to certain calls is a valuable resource for our most vulnerable community members."
