Rob Crisp and Allie Craft, part of Durham’s HEART program, responded to a 911 call about a man trespassing on business property. Instead of police, this unarmed team, equipped with snacks and hygiene kits, approached the man, who was initially tense and protective of his belongings. Crisp, drawing from his own experiences with hardship, calmly engaged with the man, offering supplies and reassurance. They persuaded him to move his belongings to a nearby vacant lot, resolving the situation peacefully. This approach reflects a growing trend in the U.S. since 2020, where cities are deploying unarmed responders for certain 911 calls, aiming to address issues without police intervention. Durham’s HEART program, launched in 2022, has already handled over 25,000 calls, highlighting a shift towards community-based public safety solutions.
QUESTION: How might the increase in unarmed response teams impact the relationship between communities and law enforcement?
Police, fire, EMT and mental health: How one city is leading the charge to reshape 911
