Asked the City Manager to fund the HEART initiative and negotiate a contract for services with HEART, to include but not limited to HEART responding to certain 911 calls

O-7

Calendar Item # 1

The presence of an armed police officer during a non-violent encounter, especially with a person experiencing a severe mental health crisis, can potentially escalate tensions and lead to injury or death; and

In response to the murder of George Floyd in 2020, The Black Response Cambridge

worked with local community members and national experts to create the Holistic Emergency Alternative Response Team (HEART), which has commenced services in Cambridge; and

The City Manager has committed to funding HEART through the ARPA funds being allocated by the City, and through a potential contract for services to be mutually agreed upon; and

Separately, the new Community Safety department (CSD) was funded in the FY23 budget, but has yet to hire any first responders; and

Even with both CSD and HEART operational and responding to crisis calls, the police would still likely be the primary first responders in situations that involve a person holding an object that could be considered a weapon; now therefore be it

That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to fund the HEART initiative and negotiate a contract for services with HEART, to include but not limited to HEART responding to certain 911 calls, as quickly as possible; and be it further

That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to present a plan for how the city will ensure the safety and well-being of community members when CSD and/or the police are dispatched as first responders to persons in crisis; and be it further

That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter as soon as possible.

In City Council March 20, 2023. Adopted by the affirmative vote of nine members. Attest:- Diane P. LeBlanc, City Clerk

A true copy;

ATTEST:-

Diane P. LeBlanc,

City Clerk

History: 03/06/23

City Council

CHARTER RIGHT

Next: 03/20/23