FOLLOWUP: CARE Community Crisis Responders now officially available in West Seattle too

| Health | Safety | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

Michael, Vanessa, and Alfred are Community Crisis Responders with the city’s CARE Department Team. We caught up with them for a quick photo at Alki this afternoon as they wrapped up their first week of being available for calls in West Seattle and vicinity. As reported here previously, the CARE Team was able to expand to this area of the city once it grew in size, as budgeted, after its first year and a half. As explained here, CCRs – all behavioral-health professionals – respond (at least initially with police) to situations involving people in crisis or other behavioral-health emergencies. CARE – short for Community Assisted Response and Engagement – is led by Chief Amy Barden and is considered one of the city’s public-safety departments. Though they’ll eventually have workspace in this area, the responders told us they’re currently based downtown. (We might hear more about that when the mayor comes to West Seattle next week for a formal announcement that the CARE responders are now available here.)

mem March 14, 2025 (3:20 pm)

Thank you Care team! We need you in West Seattle. Looking forward to seeing the care that you can provide for those who really need your assistance.

K to the F March 14, 2025 (3:26 pm)

Thanks for all y’all’s hard work and welcome to the neighborhood!

Marcus March 14, 2025 (3:34 pm)

I think I need to support this because the mission of the police should not be to resolve people in crisis or non-violent domestic issues. Also maybe this new unit can get homeless people into treatment and housing.

justme March 14, 2025 (5:26 pm)

If these people can get the homeless and addicts to agree to it, it might work out. That’s the problem though, they have to want to get better. They have to want to accept services. Most of them turn it down as we’ve seen in sweeps. My son is one of these people you see living in a van parked here and there battling advanced alcoholism with severe psychosis and nothing can be done to help him if he says “no thanks.” At this point, people with these struggles don’t even know how to advocate for themselves, that’s why I wish we could make the decision for them since they are unable to, and make treatment and rehab manditory, at least until they’re stablized enough to start again. As it is, even if they go to 72 hour detox, they’re back out again searching for their favorite substance. It’s just a vicious cycle of ineffective shuffling about. Even for low level offenders. They’re offered deferral as an alternative to incarceration and when the court officer drives them to the half way house for their “deferral program” they don’t stay…because they don’t have to. There are successful programs in other states who make it mandatory to complete a program, with vocational training and a caseworker for check ins, etc…Then the other issue is the need for more mental health hospitals. It’s sad to see people yelling and walking down the street half clothed in a psychotic rage (as I saw today walking down California) and we can’t make them get help. We can only offer and “befriend” as the LEAD workers use to tell us. I’m glad we have CARE here because they’re work is needed, but the problem will continue and multiply. I’m not saying all homeless people or people in crisis are under one category with addicts. Please don’t jump on me for “generalizing.” This is just coming from a concerned parent with no options other than letting my kid die on the side of the road somewhere because he refuses help.
- Vee March 14, 2025 (8:20 pm)
  
  Thank for sharing, it must be difficult for you. Hope things get better, stay strong
- Donna March 15, 2025 (6:22 am)
  
  Thank you for sharing you and your son’s tragic situation. It can help sometimes knowing personal stories.Resource shortages, rights, and poor legislation have combined to create this disaster. If we had more and better resources, that alone would work for some. There are some who are totally incapable of making informed decisions about safety and staying alive and require laws that will at least temporarily (longer than a few days) detain them in quality settings until they are capable of self care. And we need a continuum of supportive resources to assist them following their return to the community.We have bits and pieces of the resources, but it’s going to take diversion of a lot of our tax dollars being spent ineffectually and instead funding evidence based services and programs. We have a small number of those, but far from enough, and we have successes from other states and cities that can guide us in establishing pilot projects that can be expanded if they prove to work. Islands of excellence that come together to form continents.
- Lorie March 15, 2025 (1:08 pm)
  
  Thank you for sharing and I’m sorry to hear about your struggles with your son. I can’t imagine how hard that is ❤️ You’re absolutely right that many are incapable of making good decisions about their own well-being. Yes, affordable housing also plays a big part, but we also need to reevaluate how we are dealing with mental illness and addiction.
- Nolan March 16, 2025 (7:03 pm)
  
  If you haven’t, you might consider having a discussion with your son about why living in a van is preferable to the kind of “help” that Seattle offers.

wsgak March 14, 2025 (8:29 pm)

Thank you for all you do!

SLJ March 15, 2025 (7:50 am)

This is an important and needed service, thank you!

JLoveS March 15, 2025 (11:33 am)

Thank you Crisis Responders! We are so grateful for the work that you do. Welcome.

Deb Barker March 15, 2025 (6:26 pm)

A Big West Seattle Welcome to the new Community Crisis Responders with the city’s CARE Department Team who will be serving in West Seattle. We’re very glad that you are here. The service you provide is so necessary. Thank You!

Jeff March 16, 2025 (12:56 pm)

Here’s the latest update from Chief Amy Barden
https://www.seattlechannel.org/mayor-and-council/city-council/2024-2025-public-safety-committee

Conan March 17, 2025 (3:52 am)

Watch CM Moore starting at 51:36. https://youtu.be/zcTgv81zBTs?si=mxJfCetEfWAvg3-dChief Barden is a smooth talker and there are things beyond her control, but CARE thus far seems like another failed experiment.

Randy Winn March 17, 2025 (4:10 pm)

I think I saw this crew in action last Tuesday, in front of the best coffeeshop in West Seattle, where a young man was definitely having a problem. They work it out peacefully and helpfully … well done and thank you!

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