While policing is resistant to change, other experiments in safety can be part of the answer.

The Minneapolis crisis response team, which was formed as an alternative to police after the murder of George Floyd, has responded to more than 20,000 calls since it was formed – handling calls ranging from mental health to homelessness and addiction.

The average number of crisis responses per month increased from the previous year, illustrating continued demand for the service.

This case study is part of the Reimagining Public Safety Impact Updates Resource, which highlights successful programs in cities, towns and villages across the country.

Minneapolis’ Behavioral Crisis Response has been quietly growing, putting Minneapolis at the forefront of a nationwide experiment in making emergency mental health response a core public safety service.

City leaders and program staff touted the success of the program, calling it a pillar in the city’s aim to develop a comprehensive public safety apparatus that goes beyond policing.

The City of Minneapolis says one of its major investments is seeing results. Launched back in December of 2021, the city has spent millions of dollars in growing its behavioral crisis unit. City leaders are seeking to highlight the program's successes.

Advocates say these teams offer a "humanity-first lens" to mental health.

Adam & Jordana interviews Marisa Stevenson, interim program manager at Canopy Roots, operating the City of Minneapolis’ Behavioral Crisis Response.

Canopy Roots is a mental health organization offering unarmed, culturally affirming, and trauma-informed first responder services to people in crisis.

As the Behavioral Crisis Response contract nears an end, city officials must decide whether to extend the pilot program or permanently integrate it into emergency services.

Non-police crisis response will need a lot more funding. Accountability will need an assist from the Legislature.

On June 16, 2023, the United States Department of Justice released its findings following a two-year federal civil rights investigation into the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Police Department after the murder of George Floyd by police officer Derek Chauvin in May 2020.

The federal Department of Justice now enters into negotiations with the City of Minneapolis over what will be a legally binding plan to reform the city's police department.

In cities across the country, police, fire and EMS have historically been the first responders to almost all calls for service. After the murder of George Floyd in 2020, cities began to consider appropriate responses to the calls that come through their 911 systems each day.

The Office of Performance & Innovation (OPI) provided Minneapolis City Council Public Safety Committee a second quarter update on the pilot program Behavioral Crisis Response (BCR) in September 2022.

Unarmed mental health professionals responded to more than 3,300 911 calls in Minneapolis over the first six months of a pilot program meant to reduce the need for police or ambulances for people experiencing mental health crises.

3,300 calls, 0 injuries: Minneapolis Behavioral Crisis Response teams quietly winning over skeptics

Brian Smith, the director of the Office of Performance and Innovation, was lauded in Berlin while uncertainty looms over his future with the city of Minneapolis.

The city of Minneapolis launched a new, unarmed mental health crisis response team six months ago. Their mission was to keep police from answering those calls and put them in the hands of experts.