What's Next, Los Angeles? with Mike Bonin
Los Angeles is at a turning point. We are living in a defining moment. What happens next is up to us. Over the past few years, problems and challenges have shaken this city -- and tremendous opportunities for change have presented themselves. How do we rise to this moment and emerge a better place to live? What will it take to create a more just and a more equitable community? Working together, how are we going to create a stronger, forward-thinking Los Angeles? Mike Bonin, writer, teacher, progressive activist and former City Councilmember, looks at the issues and problems facing Los Angeles, examines ideas, and talks with the people who will lead us to a brighter future.
Produced in partnership with LA Forward.
What's Next, Los Angeles? with Mike Bonin
What Will Keep Our Neighborhoods Safe?
What will it to take to keep our neighborhoods safe?
Both progressives and conservatives agree we need an alternative to always calling the police. People usually at odds are in consensus that we need an unarmed response to non-violent emergency calls. What would that look like and how would it operate?
In Denver, they have created a tremendously successful and popular model. Denver STAR routinely and safely provides a mobile, civilian response to emergency calls about people experiencing problems related to mental health, depression, poverty, homelessness, and/or substance use issues. In this episode of What's Next, Los Angeles, Mike talks with two people deeply involved in the success of the Denver STAR program : Andrew Dameron, the director of the city's 911 system; and Chris Richardson, the associate director of clinical services for Wellpower, the region's mental health services agency.
If you'd like to learn more about the Denver STAR program, you can visit the following sites, or email Andrew or Chris directly:
City of Denver
https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Public-Health-Environment/Community-Behavioral-Health/Behavioral-Health-Strategies/Support-Team-Assisted-Response-STAR-Program
Wellpower
https://www.wellpower.org/star-program/
Andrew Dameron - Andrew.Dameron@denvergov.org
Chris Richardson - chris.richardson@wellpower.org
News Stories:
Study: Denver's STAR police-alternative program lowered crime and costs
How 911 dispatchers decide between mental health vs. police response
STAR Program Expanding to Meet Demand for Services
Denver STAR presentation to Los Angeles City Council (4/14/23):