By Aneesa Grant, The Seattle Medium
In a significant announcement last week, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell provided updates on the upcoming launch of the city’s new Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) department. The mayor outlined the department’s vision, timelines, and staffing progress, including a proposal to increase its budget by $6 million.
Harrell’s proposal, part of the upcoming budget announcement, aims to boost the CARE department’s budget by 30% in 2024 compared to 2023. The increase will facilitate the hiring of 13 additional full-time staff, essential technology upgrades, and investments in enhanced violence intervention efforts. The department, formerly known as the Community Safety and Communications Center (CSCC), is set to receive a budget of $26.5 million, a substantial rise from its 2023 allocation of $20.5 million.
“Our new CARE department will deliver on Seattle’s long-standing need for a public safety system with diverse emergency response options designed to meet community needs. Building on lessons learned locally and from around the country, we will build a stronger public safety system and a safer Seattle for all residents,” said Harrell. “This has been a priority since Day One of my administration – and we are grateful for the insight of experts and community leaders from inside and outside of government who continue to be thoughtful partners in this work.”
The CARE department represents a new approach, drawing inspiration from successful practices implemented by other jurisdictions. It will become Seattle’s third public safety department, aligning existing community-focused and non-police public safety investments and programs. The department will have three divisions: emergency call takers and dispatchers in the 911 Center, community-focused public safety responders including behavioral health professionals, and violence intervention specialists currently working in different departments.
Harrell announced that the Dual Dispatch pilot program, a collaboration between the Mayor’s Office and the City Council, will commence operations in October. The CARE department will work closely with the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and Seattle Fire Department (SFD) to identify appropriate types of calls, starting with low-risk priority 3 and priority 4 person down and welfare check calls. The Dual Dispatch pilot program has hired its initial teams, and training is already underway.
The CARE department will be led by Amy Smith, Ed.D., Deputy Director of the CSCC. Acting Chief Smith has played a pivotal role in designing and launching the new Dual Dispatch pilot program and handling administrative functions within the department. Following her successful transition efforts, CSCC Interim Director Rebecca Gonzales will return to her command position with the Seattle Fire Department (SFD).
“It is deeply gratifying to participate in such a significant moment in Seattle public health and safety,” said Acting CARE Department Chief Amy Smith. “We are positioned to use resources in a more strategic and efficient way and to better support our first responders.”
Harrell also noted that Seattle’s 911 Center is on track to be fully staffed by the end of the year. Through improved recruitment, hiring, and training processes, the 911 Center has hired over 45 new employees in 2023, addressing critical needs in Seattle’s emergency response system to ensure timely and efficient call answering.
As part of the City’s Youth Mental Health Initiative, Reach Out Seattle, the CARE Department will oversee the implementation of community-wide mental health training through Shine Light on Depression, ensuring culturally inclusive mental health support throughout the city.
Under Harrell’s leadership, the CARE department aims to create a safer city, operating with the vision of improving public health and safety through diversified programs that are equitable, innovative, evidence-based, and compassionate.
Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins expressed his support, saying, “We welcome the CARE department as the City’s third public safety department.”
Seattle City Councilmember Andrew Lewis also voiced his support for the initiative, stating, “Mayor Harrell and his team have been incredible partners in this work to build true community safety through the creation of this new civilian public safety department. I look forward to working with Mayor Harrell to scale this service and realize our shared vision for a safe community.”
The proposal to increase the CARE department’s budget is now set to undergo further review and discussion before being finalized in the city’s budget for 2024.
