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Roxboro introduces co-responder to aid police on mental-health calls
Summary
Roxboro police and county partners introduced a grant-funded mental health co-responder who has already answered 41 calls in his first month, helped de-escalate crises for nine people, and maintained home placement for roughly two-thirds of people served.
Roxboro Police Chief Hess introduced a co-responder assigned to Person County under a grant from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, with services provided through Via Health and RHA Health Services. The program pairs a mental-health crisis counselor with law enforcement and EMS to respond to certain nonviolent calls and connect people to services instead of arrest or involuntary commitment.
Chief Hess outlined the program goals and early outcomes: in his first month the co-responder responded to 41 calls involving 21 different people, was able to de-escalate crises for nine people, completed 20 follow-ups and helped 66% of those served remain in their homes rather than be arrested or placed under an involuntary commitment order. "The idea of the program is to provide community-based services to the public in an effort to connect people with mental health needs with a service provider to reduce substance abuse and reduce recidivism," Chief Hess said.
The co-responder, Steven, who comes into the role with prior crisis-services experience, said he has worked in the mental-health field for more than two decades and welcomed the opportunity to build relationships across departments. "I've worked in the mental health sub-field for over 25 years," Steven said, emphasizing the practical need for on-scene de-escalation, treatment options, and case management.
City and county agencies named as partners include the police department, sheriff's office, EMS, RHA Health Services, Via Health, Person Memorial Hospital, the Department of Social Services, Roxboro Housing Authority and local recovery and health centers. The program was funded through a state-administered grant; staff said the co-responder responds when law enforcement or EMS determines the incident is a mental-health call and no enforcement action is needed.
Next steps: Staff will continue to track and report metrics; the council and community will monitor how the program affects local outcomes and service referrals.
