In downtown Eugene, the Eugene Police Department has started embedding a Lane County Behavioral Health professional with police officers to respond to mental health-related calls. The program aims to provide non-criminal situations with the necessary resources to prevent escalation and help individuals get on a path to wellness. With the help of a $550,000 Bureau of Justice Assistance grant, the program will now expand by adding a second co-responder and a peer support specialist who will work alongside police officers in civilian clothes to address mental health-related calls effectively.
The initiative is funded initially through the Community Safety Payroll Tax and collaborates with Lane County and complements CAHOOTS, a mobile crisis intervention service in Eugene, by providing resources and case management for more complex and potentially risky calls. The program is aimed at improving safety in the area by stabilizing individuals downtown, which will ultimately result in fewer calls for police service.
Police Chief Chris Skinner envisions expanding the program city-wide in the future with Lane County’s plans to establish a stabilization center as an alternative to jail for individuals with behavioral health issues. By providing individuals with the necessary resources and support, the aim is to improve safety and overall sense of well-being in the community.