Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
Austin, Texas, is tackling its mental health crisis by considering innovative measures to transition emergency response duties from police to specialized care providers. This initiative follows the conviction of a former Austin police officer for fatally shooting a mentally ill man, stressing the necessity for systemic change.
City Council Member Chito Vela has put forward a resolution to examine mental health-related 911 calls from the past three years and evaluate police involvement. The study seeks to enhance crisis response infrastructure by prioritizing care and safety over enforcement.
Currently, Austin’s partnership with Integral Care provides crisis teams, but limited resources leave police handling most mental health calls. Expanding these programs to operate 24/7 is a key goal, supported by proposed state legislation allowing paramedics to handle mental health evaluations.
Austin joins a national effort to reimagine mental health crisis responses. Research shows that mobile crisis teams yield better outcomes. The city’s leaders view this resolution as a potential blueprint for meaningful change and hope to integrate the findings into next year’s budget, paving the way for a safer, more compassionate approach.
