ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Allentown officials again are looking at launching a pilot program to change the city’s response to mental health emergencies, mere months after a similar push failed.
Allentown City Council last week approved a resolution creating a special committee that will spend up to six months establishing a framework for a “co-responder” public safety model.
The committee will “examine, review and take testimony” on similar models, while also analyzing administrative policies and working to create a rubric to grade various options, according to the resolution council unanimously adopted.
“This committee will allow us to really dive in to (Chief Roca's) vision in a very focused manner."Ce-Ce Gerlach, Allentown City Council
Council members Santo Napoli, Ce-Ce Gerlach and Ed Zucal will serve on the committee with representatives from the police department and city administration.
Exploring a co-responder public safety model is among Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca’s top priorities this year.
Gerlach said it’s important for council to “take his guidance and really take that seriously.”
“This committee will allow us to really dive into his vision in a very focused manner,” she said.
Committee members are set to meet each of the next three months as it works to “really find out what [Roca’s] vision is, what his expectations are, what his plans are,” Gerlach said.
They also will bring in “experts from around the country who are already doing this” in places such as Lansdale, Philadelphia, Denver and other cities, she said.
The committee plans to collect a slew of data during its six-month exploration of co-responder models.
“The more resources and the more insight that we can bring in as he is getting this program together, I think the better,” Gerlach said.
Potential 'win-win'
Allentown Police Department currently partners with Pinebrook Family Answers on a “mental health liaison” program.
City council last summer approved a one-year, $100,000 contract for the organization to continue sending service providers known as community intervention specialists to follow-up on referrals from Allentown police.
Specialists help people with mental illness and substance use problems, according to Pinebrook’s website.
Allentown police will continue working with Pinebrook’s CIS Program, but Roca said his department “can do a little bit more” with how it responds to people in need of mental health services.
Council last year voted down a referendum to launch an alternative first-response program in the city.
The proposal for a one-year pilot program would’ve sent mental health professionals instead of police to some 911 calls.
But council’s rejection was not the end of the referendum, as more than 3,800 residents signed petitions showing their support.
Initiatives with at least 2,000 signatures are placed on ballots if council members do not approve them within 60 days, according to the city’s code.
“If implementing a co-response program can help the residents of Allentown get their needs met and help the police officers have more time to fight violent crime, it's a win-win for everyone."Ce-Ce Gerlach, Allentown City Council
But the Lehigh County Board of Elections unanimously rejected the voter-led referendum in late August. County Executive Phil Armstrong said the referendum had more than a dozen legal issues.
Gerlach said she is excited that city officials again are speaking about alternative responses for mental health calls after last year’s measure fell short.
“If implementing a co-response program can help the residents of Allentown get their needs met and help the police officers have more time to fight violent crime, it's a win-win for everyone," she said.
