Ohio capital city to pilot non-emergency 911 response teams
May 14, 2021 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) A pilot program in Ohio’s capital and largest city will test alternative responses to 911 callers suffering from mental health crises and addiction issues, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther announced Friday.
The four to six-week experiment will group a paramedic, public health clinician and dispatcher together to review the best response to non-emergency 911 calls, with such calls routed to the team as they come in.
The goal is a thoughtful and focused response to non-emergency situations, Ginther said.
“Far too often, and for too long, we’ve asked our police officers to be social workers, medics, and health workers,” Ginther said. “Instead, their focus should be on addressing and preventing violent crime in our neighborhoods. Asking our officers to be all things to all people hasn’t served them or our community well.”
Ma'Khia Bryant, 16, was shot and killed by police. Her family said she was defending herself during a confrontation with two former foster family members.
AP
Andre Hill, fatally shot by Columbus police on Dec. 22, is memorialized on a shirt worn by his daughter, Karissa Hill, on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio.
The City of Columbus has agreed to pay $10 million to the family of Andre Hill, who was shot and killed by a Columbus Police officer in December. The payout is the largest in the city s history.
Hill was fatally shot in the early morning hours on December 22 by then-Columbus Police office Adam Coy, who was responding to a non-emergency call on Oberlin Drive in Northwest Columbus. Hill was inside a garage, delivering Christmas money according to the homeowners when Coy and another officer approached him.
Columbus To Pay $10 Million To Family Of Andre Hill, Black Man Shot To Death By Police forbes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from forbes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Columbus to pilot non-emergency 911 response teams
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) A pilot program in Ohio’s capital and largest city will test alternative responses to 911 callers suffering from mental health crises and addiction issues, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther announced Friday.
The four to six-week experiment will group a paramedic, public health clinician and dispatcher together to review the best response to non-emergency 911 calls, with such calls routed to the team as they come in.
The goal is a thoughtful and focused response to non-emergency situations, Ginther said.
“Far too often, and for too long, we’ve asked our police officers to be social workers, medics, and health workers,” Ginther said. “Instead, their focus should be on addressing and preventing violent crime in our neighborhoods. Asking our officers to be all things to all people hasn’t served them or our community well.”