The city has several unarmed response programs, such as Mayor Karen Bass' CIRCLE Program, which is also a 24/7 service that deploys trained teams to address non-urgent LAPD calls. The difference is that CIRCLE teams respond to calls related to homeless individuals.
Additionally, Rodriguez said "this one (UMCR) is trying to lead a more comprehensive approach in redirecting these resources."
City officials also noted they implement the program in areas where a "gap" was identified – neighborhoods not being serviced by an unarmed response model. Officials also emphasized that three nonprofits were able to more quickly begin their work in those areas.
"We are in the process of recalibrating all of our responses, including LAPD and the L.A. Fire Department, to make sure that people are getting the response that they need," Rodriguez said. "This is about right- sizing the calls and making sure that we're giving people the resources and the response that they need."
UMCR personnel will typically respond to calls for service that have a social services component, do not involve violence, and are related to wellbeing checks, according to city officials. These calls for service can range from people experiencing homelessness; individuals suffering from a mental and/or behavioral health crisis; conflicts that could be resolved through mediation or other resolution strategies; and other low-acuity or non- criminal matters, city officials said.
https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/public-safety/2024/04/03/city-officials-success-unarmed-response-pilot-program?cid=app_share