Connect with us

Eugene

Community Safety Payroll Tax funds new way to respond to people experiencing mental illness, addictions and crisis downtown with a planned expansion in 2025

Published

on

Eugene, OR – Thanks to the Community Safety Payroll Tax, a groundbreaking initiative is underway to revolutionize the response to individuals grappling with mental illness, addiction, and crises in downtown areas. This innovative approach, set to expand in 2025, introduces a novel alternative police response model.

Central to this model is the integration of Lane County Behavioral Health (LCBH) professionals directly within the Eugene Police Department (EPD) downtown operations. These embedded LCBH professionals work collaboratively with EPD officers, responding jointly to calls for service involving individuals experiencing behavioral health or life crises.

By combining the expertise of law enforcement with the specialized knowledge and skills of behavioral health professionals, this initiative aims to provide more effective and compassionate responses to complex situations.

Through this collaboration, individuals in crisis can receive the support and assistance they need while minimizing the potential for escalation and harm.

The Community Safety Payroll Tax is instrumental in funding this transformative approach, which represents a significant step forward in promoting community safety and well-being. As this model continues to evolve and expand, it holds the promise of enhancing the overall response to mental health and crisis situations, ultimately fostering a safer and more supportive environment for all residents.

Featured Image Credit – Eugene Police Department

You may also like…

Eugene15 hours ago

Eugene Springfield Fire celebrates promotion of firefighter to engineer

Eugene, OR – Just after noon on October 14, Nikki Senger’s family joined Station Two to celebrate her promotion to...

Eugene15 hours ago

Eugene Springfield Fire responds to early morning structure fire in west Eugene

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire crews responded just before 3 a.m. on October 16 to a structure fire on...

Eugene15 hours ago

Eugene police investigate report of suspicious man following juvenile girls in Tugman Park

Eugene, OR – On October 14, Eugene Police Department officers responded to the 3600 block of Hilyard Street at Tugman...

Eugene15 hours ago

Eugene police arrest five individuals for DUII over the weekend

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department arrested five individuals for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) following multiple...

Crime & Safety2 days ago

Mother knew her 1-year-old was unweII after Ieaving the chiId with her partner for days, but didn’t bother to check on her and decided to get high and go to sIeep, only to find her unresponsive the foIIowing day, Iater pronounced dead: police

Iowa – An Iowa couple were taken into custody in connection with the death of the woman’s 1-year-oId chiID, WiIIow....

Crime & Safety4 days ago

Parent caIIs for responsibiIity after her 5-year-oId was Iured by severaI oIder chiIdren ‘who acted friendIy and took the chiId by the hand’ before indcentIy assauIting the girI and brutaIIy beating her untiI she was unconscious, then Ieft her where she was

Ohio – An Ohio parent demands justice after her chiId, 5, was aIIegedly Iured away and brutaIIy assauIted last month, leaving...

Oregon4 days ago

Oregon State Police ask for public assistance to identify suspect in fatal hit and run in Douglas County

Oregon – Douglas County, Ore. (13 Oct. 2025) – The Oregon State Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying...

Eugene4 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire to conduct live fire training in Springfield on October 14 and 20

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire, in partnership with the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal, will conduct live...

Eugene4 days ago

Eugene Police Department to host family-friendly trick-or-treat event at The Marquis Assisted Living and Memory Care

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department will host a safe, family-friendly trick-or-treat event at The Marquis Assisted Living and...

Crime & Safety6 days ago

Woman who stated that ‘she didn’t feeI strong or capable enough to continue and that the situation had become too much to handIe before puIIing out a revoIver while visiting her spouse at a skiIIed care faciIity and kiIIing the eIderIy man, is charged

South Carolina – A South Carolina woman was arrested and formally charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a...

Eugene7 days ago

ALPR system aids Eugene Police in arresting seven suspects in Bethel area burglary

Eugene, OR – Eugene Police Department announced the arrest of seven individuals in connection with a daytime burglary on October...

Trending