August 2024 Community Safety Department Update

The Community Safety Department (CSD) has expanded its crisis response and case management efforts. They are working to promote mental health stabilization and wellbeing throughout Cambridge.

Starting the week of July 15, the CARE Team began responding to mental health-related calls and delivering notifications for emergencies that do not involve criminal matters, investigations or homicides. The three new call types are in addition to "Needle Pick Up" calls that the CARE Team has been dispatched to since February.

During the first four days of expanded calls, the CARE Team responded to six calls from the City's Emergency Communications Department. Four of these calls were a direct request for a CARE Team response and two were mental health-related calls. One response occurred at a local library, in which a community member was experiencing mental health distress. Due to concern from library patrons and staff, the CARE Team responded, were able to help the community member on-site, and then find them a local shelter thanks to the strong relationship they have established with First Step, who help bridge the City with essential services such as shelter and mental health services.

Beyond the crisis response to 9-1-1 calls, the CARE Team has also been doing direct, targeted outreach in the different Cambridge neighborhoods, with a focus on Central Square. They have served many community members by assessing individuals' mental health, wellness, and concrete needs. They've also visited homeless encampments in Cambridge to mediate quality of life concerns and distribute supplies when needed. Since early 2024, the CARE Team has already served 5,585 community members through targeted outreach.

The CARE Team also works with community members to provide case management and referrals. Since spring of 2024, the CARE Team has served 24 community members on an ongoing basis. Case management services include housing search, addressing food insecurity, eviction aid, emotional support, referrals to partner organizations and other basic need support and services. The CARE Team has also cultivated strong relationships with local organizations, like the Salvation Army and Christ Church Cambridge, to better support community members.

The Community Safety Department expects to continue to phase in additional call types over the coming months.