Mayor Wheeler Calls for Expansion of Portland Street Response
PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland’s mayor comes out with a big expansion plan for Portland Street Response to handle mental health calls.
Mayor Ted Wheeler cites the results of a Portland State University study, which found that Portland Street Response, demonstrated success during its first year as a pilot program.
“An unarmed trained specialist is proven to be the best practice,” said Wheeler.
Now he wants to include a major expansion in his budget proposal due next week. Portland Street Response would increase its crisis response teams from the current 6 to 16. The program would operate 24-7 by fall for emergency calls involving behavioral and mental health, but not violence.
Wheeler praised Portland City Commissioner Joann Hardesty for her leadership in launching Portland Street Response.