The city’s negotiating budget, presented to the Phoenix Mayor and councilors on March 16, includes a massive, one-of-a-kind program to overhaul the interactions between first responders and residents experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis. That’s what Mayor Kate Gallegoego’s office says A $ 15 million investment to expand the Community Advocacy Program (CAP) is part of a $ 21 million commitment to improve accountability, transparency, responsiveness and confidence in public safety . Once the final budget is approved, the CAP will operate from the Phoenix Fire Department and will take primary responsibility for mental health response from the Phoenix Police Department. Gallego’s office says the fire department had had a program similar to CAP for years, but was under-funded for these types of programs and was mostly staffed by volunteers. When fully operational, the expanded CAP will consist of 19 mobile units: 10 units will be professionally staffed by civilian employees of the city and provide crisis response, connection to care and other social services; Nine units will include a public-private partnership with a behavioral therapy provider to ensure that people suffering from mental and behavioral health problems receive ongoing case management and counseling services. “Since I started working in this office, I have been campaigning for a fundamental change in our approach to public safety,” said Gallego. “Across the country and here in Phoenix, a large and increasing percentage of calls are coming from people who need help and have no idea where to get it, so call the police. Instead of an armed officer, residents can now be assisted by a professional who is equipped with information and training. We can connect people to the services they need while reducing negative interactions and sometimes deadly consequences. ”The mayor’s office said the city has been carefully managing its funds to avoid layoffs and since the pandemic began a year ago maintain the operation of essential services in the city. This cautious approach has resulted in a General Fund surplus of $ 153 million. As a result, the proposed budget advances several other priorities for the mayor in addition to public security reform, including climate change; Diversity and equity; COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery; affordable housing and homelessness; College depot; and art and monument preservation. “As I have said many times before, the pandemic is not over yet. We need to remain vigilant and make data-driven decisions that protect the health of our community while recognizing that things are getting better, ”Gallego said. “I am so proud of everything we have been able to achieve despite COVID-19, and I am hopeful and optimistic about the future. This budget supports my vision for the Phoenix, which we are building together. ”Photo: Dennis Murphy / Dennis Scully; courtesy Visit Phoenix
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