SKOKIE, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- It’s now been just over a year since Skokie partnered one of its police officers with a social worker.
Skokie Police Officer Kim Blue is one half of the Village’s Co-responder program team and her partner is a licensed social worker.
That social worker is Brian McHugh. Joining Officer Blue on possible mental health crisis related calls, de-escalation is the ultimate goal along with pointing individuals in the direction of treatment or other resource they may need.
Blue said the partners have formed a unique bond and added that the community, as well as the Village, seem to be pleased with the results.
"The Village has been wonderful. They're very supportive of this program, they listen to what our needs are --- things that we feel we can add into the program to make it even more successful," Blue said.
"They gave us her own vehicle that we can put toys or food in there- blankets and hats for homeless individuals that we come across. They're very receptive to what we have to say and what our needs are."
McHugh told WBBM that in addition to reducing recidivism among those that do end up under arrest, the program appears to be improving the relationship between the police department and the community.
"It seems to be a great relationship in development and it seems to be growing," he said.
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