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Crisis Alternative Response Evanston
The City has launched its Crisis Alternative Response Evanston (C.A.R.E.) program, an innovative initiative aimed at providing a non-police response to certain low-risk service calls. This program reimagines public safety with the goal of fostering a stronger, more connected community. Though the C.A.R.E. program operates independently from the Evanston Police Department, it has their full expressed support. By easing the burden on police resources, the C.A.R.E. team enables police officers to focus on addressing criminal activities and implementing proactive community safety measures.
What is the C.A.R.E. team?
The C.A.R.E team consists of dedicated professionals whose lived experience and training will allow them to respond to a range of community concerns, including:
- Nuisance complaints
- Well-being checks
- City ordinance violations
- Panhandling
- Vagrant
- Lost, confused person
- Leaf blower violation
- Miscellaneous public service
- Mental subject
- Soliciting complaint
With a focus on proactive engagement and relationship-building, the C.A.R.E. team provides compassionate and effective support to community members.
Meet the C.A.R.E. team members
Frequently Asked Questions
C.A.R.E. team members have undergone rigorous Emergency Crisis Responder training provided by Oakton College, covering various aspects of crisis intervention, mental health, restorative justice, and community resources to equip them with the necessary skills and sensitivities to respond to community crises. Throughout the first year of this program, C.A.R.E team members will receive supplementary field training facilitated by the Evanston Police Department and the Evanston Fire Department. This inclusive training will encompass Narcan administration and C.P.R., among other essential skill sets.
In October 2020, the Alternative Emergency Response Subcommittee convened with the goal of developing a non-police response for community members in immediate need. The committee reviewed comparable programs, assessed local needs, and crafted recommendations.
In May 2021, Mayor Daniel Biss signed Resolution 58-R-21, establishing the Reimagining Public Safety Committee. This committee was tasked with reviewing the City's public safety initiatives, including funding allocation, police department functions, internal policies, and crime reduction strategies alignment.
Following efforts by both the Alternative Emergency Response Subcommittee and Reimagining Public Safety Committee, Resolution 68-R-22 was signed in November 2022, authorizing the City to enter into an agreement with the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP). LEAP was charged with considering ways to enhance the civilian response to 9-1-1 emergency calls through data analysis, community responder program research, and engagement with the Evanston Police Department and community members.
In November, 2023 LEAP published a report with several recommendations including:
- The program should be housed in the Parks and Recreation Department, as an expansion to established Outreach program
- Responders should be dispatched through 9-1-1 and non-emergency lines (3-1-1- and police non-emergency)
- The City of Evanston should allocate funds towards the program
- Teams of two should be trained to respond to low-risk calls, conserving police resources and preventing negative or even dangerous interactions between officers and community members
Finally, in February 2024, the Evanston City Council approved $400,000 to kickstart the C.A.R.E. program, including the facilitation of the program's development, recruitment and training processes.
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Connections for the Homeless
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Impact Behavioral Health
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Interfaith Action Evanston
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James B Moran Center for Youth Advocacy
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Mental Health Task Force
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Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education
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PEER Services
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Thresholds
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Trilogy
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Turning Point
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YMCA
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YWCA
C.A.R.E. team members will be in uniforms, which include black pants and a burgundy colored polo with the C.A.R.E. team logo on it. They will also arrivein labeled City vehicles. See photo below:
Gallery
Northwestern News Network Coverage
Click on the image to play the video at minute 2:46.
