Baltimore Council Creates New Safety Department for Some 911 Calls

The Baltimore City Council gave final approval to create a Department of Neighborhood Safety, which would become the city’s third public-safety branch and send trained clinicians or social workers to some nonviolent 911 calls, including mental-health crises. Dispatchers would help determine the appropriate response, and some situations could involve clinicians responding alongside police. The department is intended to formalize and expand the work of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement while increasing council oversight; supporters say it could connect residents with more appropriate care and ease pressure on police, fire services and hospitals. Councilman Mark Conway opposed the measure, citing concerns about the department’s finances and the speed of the process. The bill now awaits Mayor Brandon Scott’s signature.