Cities throughout the country have successfully used the STAR (Support Team Assisted Response) program, which sends a mental health clinician and paramedic to respond to 911 calls about nonviolent behavior.
These calls include concerns about trespassing, drunken neighbors, and other low-level offenses. Implementation of the STAR program or something similar would decrease violent interactions between police and civilians, greatly improving our trust in police.
Margaret Halbeisen
Amherst
