Louisville, Kentucky, is expanding its Crisis Call Diversion Program to operate 24/7 starting July 1, expanding from its previous hours of 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. This program aims to redirect certain mental health-related 911 calls away from police intervention. Instead, calls are triaged by MetroSafe workers to determine if they involve a mental health crisis.
The program, launched in 2022, has successfully diverted approximately 4,000 calls since its inception, with 1,500 calls diverted just this year. It operates across all divisions of the Louisville Metro Police Department. If a caller is deemed eligible for diversion (not involving weapons, immediate medical needs, or threats to others or themselves), they receive a response from crisis triage workers (CTWs) or mobile crisis responders from Seven Counties Services, a local community mental health center.
As of July 1, Seven Counties Services will expand its staff to support the program, including 13 crisis triage workers and 27 mobile crisis responders. This expansion is part of Louisville’s efforts to enhance public safety by allowing police officers to focus more on crime-related incidents, while ensuring individuals in mental health crisis receive appropriate care.
Mayor Craig Greenberg emphasized the program’s role in making Louisville safer and more supportive for all residents, while LMPD Deputy Chief Steven Healey praised its effectiveness in resource allocation. Nicole Wiseman, the deflection unit manager at Seven Counties Services, highlighted the program’s commitment to providing compassionate care during crises, aiming to foster a more resilient community.
This expansion reflects Louisville’s proactive approach to addressing mental health crises and optimizing emergency response services in collaboration with community partners.
Related topics:
