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In Baltimore, a significant shift in emergency response aims to address non-violent crises without police intervention. The city plans to expand its mobile crisis teams, which currently respond to mental health emergencies, to cover a wider array of non-emergency situations. This initiative is designed to provide timely assistance to individuals who may require support for issues like housing, mental health care, or addiction treatment, rather than cycling them through the criminal justice system.
The program builds on the city’s existing mobile crisis model operated by Behavioral Health System Baltimore, pairing mental health clinicians with peer counselors. This expansion is made possible by approximately $400 million Baltimore received from opioid-related legal settlements, which the city has committed to addressing drug-related harms and prevention services, including housing and healthcare.
Baltimore has seen a notable decline in its homicide rate—down 60 percent from 2021 to 2025—yet it faces a persistent issue with overdose deaths, averaging 1,000 annually during this period. The new approach recognizes that violence and addiction are intertwined challenges that need comprehensive solutions.
The program draws inspiration from Durham, North Carolina, where a similar initiative, the Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Team (HEART), has successfully handled over 12,000 diverted calls since its launch in 2021. This model has demonstrated that non-law enforcement responses can effectively address community needs without escalating to arrests, thus fostering a more supportive environment for individuals in crisis.
As Baltimore implements this expanded response system, the city aims to improve community safety and health by ensuring that the appropriate resources are mobilized for those in need, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of life for its residents.
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