SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ – Police say they have responded to 41 mental health crises in the past year alongside a mental health professional to deescalate the situation, according to a press release. This partnership is part of the department’s participation in the “Arrive Together Program,” a state initiative that partners law enforcement with mental health crisis specialists to respond to 9-1-1 calls involving behavioral health incidents.
Over the past year, Rutgers Behavioral Health mental health screener Michaela Durbin and Officer Ryan Bartunek have been working together to respond to mental health emergencies in South Brunswick. The department says that Drubin provides essential on-site assessments while Officer Bartunek maintains safety.
“Their joint efforts focus on de-escalation, immediate mental health evaluations, and connecting individuals with vital resources and into the appropriate care,” South Brunswick Police Department said in a released statement, “This partnership has also helped alleviate the use of unnecessary first responder resources, allowing us to direct those resources where they are truly needed.”…