Baltimore Proposes Department for Nonviolent Emergency Calls

The city seeks to establish a new department to dispatch specialized responders for mental health crises.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Baltimore Proposes Department for Nonviolent Emergency Calls

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Baltimore City Council members are considering a proposal to create a Department of Neighborhood Safety to handle nonviolent emergency calls. The initiative aims to provide more appropriate care for mental health crises by deploying specialized responders.

Why it matters

City leaders determined that existing response options were insufficient for managing mental health emergencies. The new department would replace part of the current 911 dispatch system to improve outcomes for residents.

The City Council has held two hearings on the topic of 911 call diversion over the past year. Officials are moving toward passing legislation to formalize the new department.

The players

Zeke Cohen

Zeke Cohen is the Baltimore City Council President who has been actively involved in evaluating alternative emergency response models.

The details

The proposed department would house mental health clinicians and peer responders to handle nonviolent emergency calls. This new entity would formally incorporate the operations of the existing Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement.

The proposal for the new department was introduced on September 14.
City officials held two hearings regarding 911 call diversion over the past year.

Legal Context

The proposal in Baltimore follows a model established by the HEART program in Durham, North Carolina, which serves as a benchmark for city-led emergency response reform. This initiative mirrors a growing national trend of municipalities shifting non-law enforcement emergency response tasks to specialized agencies.

Residents may see changes in how emergency services respond to reports involving mental health or nonviolent concerns. The transition aims to ensure that calls are directed to the most appropriate professional responders.

The takeaway

The move to divert 22,000 calls annually reflects an effort to modernize city emergency services by matching crisis types with specialized care. Implementing this system marks a structural change in how public safety is administered in the city.