For some 911 calls, Denver dispatches mental health teams instead of police. They say it’s working.
Since June 2020, the Support Team Assisted Response or (STAR) has deployed medical and behavioral health clinicians to respond to over 2,200 low risk calls reporting trespassing, intoxication, or mental health crises involving poverty, homelessness or addiction.
The STAR teams have never called for police back-up due to a safety issue, according to their January report.
In January, the City Council unanimously allocated a $1.4 million contract for the STAR program’s expansion, paying for five additional white vans and hiring 7 clinicians, 4 paramedics, and two emergency medical technicians.
The Denver Post reports that STAR teams have driven hundreds of miles, assisted suicidal people and schizophrenics; they’ve also handed out water and socks and connected people to shelter, food and resources.
The city also says STAR is saving money. If the STAR vans can help someone in crisis, that frees up police to handle more serious calls.
At the same time, supporters say STAR is minimizing jail and emergency room costs.
Other cities in Colorado have called Denver with intentions to start similar emergency services to dispatch unarmed health professionals.