SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (KCBS RADIO) – San Rafael is trying a different approach to help people when it comes to quality of life calls.
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Instead of sending officers to respond to someone in crisis, intervention specialists will go out first, in a new program known as SAFE — Specialized Assistance For Everyone.
"No call too small, we'll respond to anything," SAFE Team Director told KCBS Radio. "We're based off the CAHOOTS model, which is from Eugene, Oregon. It’s a crisis intervention specialist and an EMT."
The program is a three year pilot funded by the San Rafael City Council and was launched one week ago today. Eight full-time employees will respond to low-level emergencies instead of San Rafael police. Each shift is 12 hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. In the first week, SAFE averaged 10 to 12 calls each day.
"No weapon of any sorts, no mace, we purely use our words to help soothe people," a Crisis Intervention Specialist told KCBS Radio.
San Rafael Police Chief David Spiller said he's confident this team will help with de-escalation in many situations. "It's an alternative response, so it's not always a police officer that's the right resource for a particular call," he stated.
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