Portland Street Response

 Portland Street Response

        In the past, homelessness was seen as more of a personal issue and one that was individual affecting only the unhoused. What we know is that homeless populations and those suffering from mental health crisis are a community issue and a national issue. To help solve these outstanding social dilemmas, we are gaining more knowledge and insight into what it means to build strong healthy communities. One factor is considering how populations are addressed and by whom. While in the past police officers would often give people “One chance for our help” we are now considering or more compassionate view. When we start asking “What do you need?” we consider the persons opinion to have value. One group of social workers in the Portland Metro is applying this method today. 

https://www.rand.org/blog/rand-review/2021/03/rethinking-how-police-respond-to-homelessness.html  

        The Portland Street Response (PSR) is a program that was created to help response to non life threatening incidents in Portland Metropolitan Region which may not require armed forces. Calls to 911 are filtered into their hands when deemed appropriate. The program not only attempts to decrease the strain on our communities police force, but wishes to apply compassionate approaches to issues surrounding the homeless populations and those affected by mental health issues within our city. The P.S.R. covers approximately 36 square miles and 22 neighborhoods throughout Portland Metro.

        The Pilot program launched in 2021 and have seen great success. Not only do workers who are sent out in groups of 3, address the current issues which range from someone screaming in the streets, laying on the ground, or a myriad of other possible crisis behaviors, they also attempt to follow up with cases later on and connect them to assistance for recovery. In some situations the  P. S. R. will distribute water, deliver phones, buy bus tickets and help get clients new identification cards. 

https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2022/04/26/41684613/portland-street-response-meets-first-year-goals 

Portland Street Response team hits the streets for the first time...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJXhGcgN4YU 

        As of 2022, the P.S.R. answered between 100-300 calls per month. With the expansion of their service region they have now taken over 800 calls in April alone. As a measure of success, one officer reports that it has been months since he has had to issue a citation regarding homelessness issues. With proper training and stronger social rather than legal approach to the crisis, we believe the move toward a healthier Portland population is on the rise.