I am writing to share a concern that has been on my mind: how Evansville responds to people in the middle of a mental health crisis. I want to start by acknowledging the work already being done. The Evansville Police Department’s use of the Crisis Intervention Team model reflects a real commitment to handling these situations with care. At the same time, relying primarily on law enforcement to respond to behavioral health crises is often not the most effective approach.

Evansville is a community where many residents are navigating significant stressors. With a large portion of the population living with disabilities and many households facing economic strain. Mental health crises are often rooted in ongoing, complex challenges such as these. When such crises are met first with a police response, the situation can unintentionally escalate even when handled with the upmost professionalism. For some individuals, particularly those who have had difficult past interactions with authority, the presence of law enforcement can heighten distress rather than reduce it.

This is not a critique of our officers, but rather a reflection of the limits of the system we are asking them to operate within. CIT training is meaningful, but it cannot replace the depth of clinical training that mental health professionals bring. As a result, response to crises can vary heavily depending on which officers respond and what resources are immediately available.

Additionally, officers who are CIT trained often spend extended periods waiting with individuals in emergency departments for psychiatric intake, which takes them away from other public safety responsibilities. There is an opportunity here to build something that better serves everyone involved. A Mobile Crisis Unit, staffed by trained behavioral health professionals, would allow Evansville to respond to many of these calls with the kind of care they truly require. Other cities have already demonstrated that this model works. Programs like Denver’s STAR and Oregon’s CAHOOTS have reduced unnecessary law enforcement involvement, lowered costs associated with emergency services, and helped people stabilize in a culturally competent and compassionate way.

Evansville is in a strong position to move in this direction. With access to resources like the Indiana Mobile Crisis Accelerator Program, the city has the tools to make a meaningful shift. A model that sends the right type of responder to these situations would allow law enforcement to focus on safety-related concerns, while ensuring that individuals in crisis receive timely and appropriate care.

A response system that meets people where they are, has the potential to reduce harm, strengthen trust, and make more efficient use of city resources.

Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your continued investment in the well-being of this community.

Bee Hammond

Sincerely, Bee Hammond