Alternatives to Calling the Police

Calling the police is not always the best choice to resolve a problem, and too often the arrival of police makes things worse, not better.

For example, the Phoenix Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues conducted a survey on police interactions with individuals suffering some for of mental illness. The results of the survey found that 45 percent of those who reported having been in contact with police said the encounter quickly deteriorated after police arrived. Only 30 percent said police helped at all. And just 19 percent said they helped a lot. Only 6 percent of those polled said police had no effect at all.

When police show up, situations can escalate, and the use of force can be disproportionate, especially towards Black people; a 2016 study estimated that 20 percent to 50 percent of fatal encounters with law enforcement involved someone with a mental illness. 

Of course there are some cases where calling 911 is the appropriate thing to do, but more often than not there are alternatives to calling the police that will better resolve the situation. 

Avoid Calling the Police 

How to Never Call the Cops Again: A Guide with a Few Alternatives to Calling Police 

Alternatives to Calling the Police 

Imagine a World Without Police 

12 Things to do Instead of Calling the Cops

Alternatives to Police

What a World Without Cops Would Look Like 

There’s Already an Alternative to Calling the Police 



Comments

Popular Posts