Eugene Police Department has recently introduced a program that embeds a Lane County Behavioral Health professional with police officers for mental health-related calls in downtown Eugene. The initiative aims to provide specialized support for non-criminal situations and prevent escalations. The program has received a new federal grant that will help expand the program.
The program is an important step towards enhancing safety in downtown Eugene and reducing the number of police responses to calls for service. The goal is to stabilize people in crisis, which will ultimately have a positive impact on the community. Police Chief Chris Skinner emphasized the importance of having a specialist in civilian clothes who can bring a range of resources to help individuals struggling with their mental health.
The $550,000 Bureau of Justice Assistance grant will be used to hire a second co-responder and a peer support specialist, which will work in conjunction with CAHOOTS, Eugene’s mobile crisis intervention service, to provide comprehensive resources and support for individuals in crisis. While mobile crisis intervention services focus on less complex cases, the EPD program handles more risky and challenging situations.
Police Chief Skinner is optimistic about the potential for the program to expand city-wide and hopes to collaborate with Lane County on establishing a stabilization center as an alternative to jail for individuals with behavioral health issues. The focus is on providing individuals with the support they need to navigate mental health challenges and ensure a safer and more compassionate community for all.
