Portland Street Response

Portland Street Response (PSR) is a public safety program in the City of Portland, Oregon, that provides an alternative to traditional police or fire department responses for certain non-emergency 911 calls. The program's goal is to offer a compassionate and effective response to individuals experiencing mental or behavioral health crises, substance use issues, or other non-violent street-level situations.

History and Mission

The creation of Portland Street Response was a direct result of community advocacy and a desire to reduce the over-policing of individuals experiencing homelessness and mental health crises. Modeled after the long-standing CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets) program in Eugene, Oregon, PSR was established within Portland Fire & Rescue.

The program's core mission is to:

• Divert non-violent, non-criminal calls from police and fire resources.
• Provide a more appropriate and therapeutic response to individuals in crisis.
• Connect people with essential social services, shelter, and long-term care.
• Reduce the number of arrests and emergency room visits for people experiencing behavioral health emergencies.

What They Do

Portland Street Response teams are dispatched by 911 to specific types of calls. These teams consist of a combination of a firefighter paramedic, a licensed mental health crisis therapist, and community health workers or peer support specialists. They are unarmed and trained in de-escalation techniques.

Typical calls for which PSR is dispatched include:

• A person who is possibly experiencing a mental health crisis, intoxicated, or drug-affected.
• A person who is "down" or asleep in a public space and needs a welfare check.
• Situations involving individuals who are yelling or exhibiting other disruptive behaviors in public.
• Providing referrals for services to people who need help but lack phone access.

PSR does not respond to calls involving weapons, active criminal activity, or situations where there is a direct threat of violence. In cases where there are safety concerns, they may co-respond with police. The program also plays a vital role in providing a "warm handoff" to services, including transporting individuals to shelters, clinics, or other care facilities on a voluntary basis.

How to Request Service

To request Portland Street Response, citizens should call 911. When the dispatcher asks questions about the situation, they can be asked specifically for the Portland Street Response team. Dispatchers will determine if the call fits the criteria for a PSR response and will send the appropriate team.

See Also

Homelessness in Portland, Oregon

CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets)

Community Health Assessment Team (CHAT)

External Links

Official Portland Street Response Website

Portland Street Response: A Campaign by Street Roots Advocacy