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Absecon to join AtlantiCare ‘Arrive Together’ pilot pairing health professionals with police
Summary
The council authorized an agreement to participate in Arrive Together, a pilot program run by AtlantiCare that pairs health professionals with police officers for mental‑health emergency responses; officials said it aims to reduce escalation and improve outcomes.
The Absecon City Council authorized the city’s participation in an AtlantiCare pilot called “Arrive Together,” which pairs health professionals with police during certain mental‑health emergency responses.
Police Chief (speaker 4) told the council the program—designed to provide alternative responses to reduce instances of violence and escalation—places AtlantiCare health professionals alongside police officers to increase use of mental‑health resources and improve trust between law enforcement and the community. The chief said the pilot began elsewhere and has expanded under the attorney general’s office; he described Absecon as the first participant in Atlantic County and said AtlantiCare will have health professionals in the field on a daily basis when the program begins locally.
Council moved the item as part of the consent agenda and approved the necessary authorization. Chief remarks also emphasized department staffing pressures and the need for crossing-guard volunteers as school started.
Officials did not provide implementation dates or a detailed local budget for Arrive Together during the meeting; those operational details were not specified and will be set by the executing agreement and coordinating agencies.
