police have reported that the Alternative Response Team project, which involves social workers and paramedics responding to mental health calls, has been successful. Police Inspector Elliot Faust stated that getting the program up and running has been a significant achievement, and they are pleased with the impact it is having.
In this model, Hennepin County social workers and North Memorial Health paramedics can respond alongside or instead of police officers. The partnership was announced a year ago, with an original end date set for December 31, 2024. However, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners recently extended the timeline through the end of 2026.
Faust expressed excitement about the extension, noting that the police department has seen a decrease in mental health calls for the first time in years. After a steady increase over five years, mental health calls in Brooklyn Park peaked in 2022 at 1,291 and dropped to 1,096 in 2023. Faust attributes this decrease to the work of the Alternative Response Team, although he hesitates to make a direct causal connection.
Looking ahead, Faust hopes to expand the unit’s operating hours beyond regular business hours to better serve the community. He emphasized the team’s busy schedule and the need to continue moving forward with the program.