DENVER (KDVR) — Two U.S. legislators for Colorado introduced a bill this month aimed at funding partnerships between law enforcement and mental or behavioral health providers, such as Denver’s STAR program or Grand Junction’s co-responder program.
According to information published by the office of Rep. Jason Crow, a Democrat representing Colorado’s 6th Congressional District , the legislation would create a way for health professionals, case managers and outreach teams to respond and engage with people experiencing crises related to mental health, poverty, homelessness or substance use disorders.
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“Colorado has proven that community policing improves public safety and saves tax dollars by meeting mental health and drug-related emergencies with resource-based responses,” Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat who also introduced the bill Monday, said in a release. “Law enforcement should focus on violent crime while trained health and social service professionals de-escalate emergencies and connect individuals with services they need. This legislation draws on Colorado’s leadership and expands the successes of community policing nationwide.”
The goal is to have the right people on hand to de-escalate challenging situations…