Baltimore City Council advances plan for new agency to handle lower-risk 911 calls

Baltimore City Council has approved measures to create a Department of Neighborhood Safety that will manage lower-risk 911 calls, according to The Baltimore Banner. The department aims to divert non-life-threatening calls, such as welfare checks and nuisance reports, from police to teams including social workers and peer specialists.

The new agency will combine existing crime diversion efforts from the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement with additional staff to respond to calls deemed safe and not involving weapons. Officials plan for these teams to operate around the clock eventually.

The proposal was introduced by Mayor Brandon Scott and Council President Zeke Cohen last month and is expected to receive final approval early next month. Councilman Mark Conway was the only dissenting vote, citing concerns about the lack of a finalized budget and feeling the bill was rushed.

Baltimore’s finance department reviewed the proposal and noted the potential for a large fiscal impact, dependent on staffing and call volume. The city plans to fund the department initially with $15 million from opioid settlement restitution funds, which are projected to run out by 2032, raising questions about long-term funding.

Council President Cohen expressed interest in hiring a director for the new department, signaling further steps toward implementation once the plan is finalized.