Brooklyn Park Police Department expanding mental health team after seeing success
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — When something is working well, grow it.
That's what's happening at the Brooklyn Park Police Department after they changed the way they respond to mental health calls.
After launching the Alternative Response Team (ART) in January 2023, Brooklyn Park Police Inspector Elliot Faust says they've seen mental health calls decline for the first time in a decade.
"We found a lot more success than I think we were initially expecting," Faust said.
ART pairs a Hennepin County social worker with a North Memorial paramedic to respond to 911 calls for mental health situations.
"What you're seeing with alternative response is definitely a softer approach, but also someone who is situated to have more time," Faust said.
More time for follow ups and continued care, so the issue is fully addressed, not just a temporary fix.
Crisis responder Josh Drummond sees the success of the program firsthand. Drummond works nationwide, but often within schools in Brooklyn Park.
Crisis responders lean on ART workers to help students.
"Whenever the social workers happen to arrive, they just get it immediately and they're able to help de-escalate the situation. They can help provide all kinds of care and support for everyone there involved," Drummond said.
Because of this success, Brooklyn Park police are growing the program to help more people.
In the first year and a half of the program, there were two people on the Alternative Response Team that worked together. The department has since expanded to a second team of two.
"That gives us more hours, better coverage, more people to attend to these needs," Faust said.
The second team provides help from the early morning hours to late at night Monday through Friday. The department hopes to expand to weekends next.
