Why This Measure Matters

Crisis and Alternative Response Contacts includes data from OPD's Crisis Response Unit, Familiar Faces peers, and the department's Designated Crisis Responder (DCR). Tracking this data is an important tool for department resource allocation, strengthening the partnership between alternative response programs and law enforcement, and improving outcomes for individuals experiencing crisis in our community.

The department's Crisis & Alternative Response programs have grown and expanded drastically since their start in 2019. With this growth came major changes to what data was collected, and how it was gathered. In 2021 the Crisis Response Unit (CRU) and Familiar Faces Program (FF) also transitioned from being contracted programs, to staff becoming City employees which provided additional data tracking resources for these programs.

As the programs have grown and changed, 2024 was the first full year of standardized data tracking for CRU, FF, and the department's Designated Crisis Responder (DCR)

What’s the Story?

In 2025 OPD Crisis & Alternative Response programs made 1,934 more contacts than in 2024. This increase was driven by several factors including increased referrals from police officers, more self-initiated contacts, and collaborative work with the department's DCR. 

The team also set a goal for 2025 to increase follow-up contacts with individuals. As a result, follow-up contacts rose significantly, from 50 in 2024 to 418 in 2025. 

Target

The City is tracking this metric over time to understand how it fluctuates.

Reporting frequency