2023.02.14 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Jenn Hamrick, Integrated Health and Justice Administrator, commented on the importance and need for co- designing this program with community members, Ramsey County staff, suburban police and fire, suburban City officials, and the City of St. Paul in order to share power, build capacity, and prioritize relationships. She noted the ARI team had 31 individuals working together to consider how this initiative should move forward. Ms. Pass commented on the current 911 call structure and noted the traditional response for dispatchers was law enforcement, fire or EMT’s. She reported through the co-design process a co-response model has been created that would allow dispatchers to have law enforcement, fire, EMT’s, social services, public health and community responses available for dispatch. She commented further on how different types of calls would be dispatched through the new ARI system. Councilmember Abdulle questioned if the new response model would assist in reducing the number of police officers each community has. Ms. Hamrick stated the new response model would lead to restructuring, but she was uncertain as to how this would impact police numbers. She explained the County would be evaluating where cost saving measures were occurring over time. Mr. Williams anticipated the cost savings would differ from one community to another depending on their call volume and the services their residents need. Councilmember Abdulle stated he appreciated the cost savings each community could see through this new model. Councilmember Axberg requested further information on the community responders. Mr. Nigatu described the training community responders would receive and discussed the types of calls they would respond to. Mr. Williams explained community responders would be great in assisting with neighbor disputes that do not require law enforcement. Councilmember Dunsworth questioned how the ARI program would impact the court system. Mr. Williams discussed the numerous ways the County offers diversion programs. He stated it was his hope going forward that a growing percentage of calls can be resolved without needing law enforcement. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas requested further information on the training social workers would have. Ms. Hamrick described the various types of social workers the County had and noted the different types of training and licenses these social workers had. Mr. Nigatu commented further on the backgrounds that would be allowed for community responders noting each person would be reviewed on a case by case basis. Ms. Pass commented on the conversations Ramsey County has had with New Brighton and the New Brighton Public Safety Advisory Committee. She noted community listening sessions would be held in New Brighton along with coffee/small group sessions. She discussed how the County would be evaluating the ARI program going forward to ensure it was as unbiased as possible. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas requested the Council be invited to provide comments on the ARI program. Councilmember Dunsworth asked how long the County would be monitoring and evaluating the ARI program. Ms. Hamrick stated this work would continue through 2026. Councilmember Dunsworth questioned if any other counties were pursuing this approach. Ms. Pass commented on the mental health approach Hennepin County was pursuing, noting the initiatives were kind of the same, but different. Councilmember Dunsworth stated she appreciated the wholistic approach Ramsey County was pursuing.