Council votes to expand unarmed crisis response procurement, citing program success
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Summary
The council approved a motion to build a bench of service providers to expand Los Angeles’ unarmed mobile crisis response model citywide after sponsors said pilot teams reduced police calls and costs in served areas.
The City Council voted unanimously to authorize a multi-year procurement process to scale the city’s unarmed mobile crisis response (UMCR) program after supporters said the model has reduced police calls and costs where it operates.
Councilmember Monica Hernandez, sponsor of item 80, told the council that six UMCR teams launched in 2024 have responded to more than 16,000 calls and resolved 96% of those without requiring a sworn officer. "UMCR is the most efficient and inexpensive service to increase public and community safety," she said, urging the council to make the model permanent and citywide.
Community members and LA Ford affiliates spoke in support of the item during public comment, raising the program’s cost savings and impact on police workload. One speaker noted LAPD leadership’s own acknowledgement that unarmed response reduces call volumes for sworn officers.
The motion directs city departments to begin a five-year procurement and to expand a bench of providers so the unarmed response model can be deployed more widely. The council recorded a 15‑0 vote in favor.
What happens next: City procurement staff will begin a multiyear contracting process and expand the provider bench; council sponsors expect the CAO and relevant departments to provide implementation plans and cost estimates as the procurement proceeds.
Provenance: sponsor remarks and public comment beginning (transcript SEG 2010) through the council roll call confirming adoption (transcript SEG 5601).
