A new program in Denver that sends a paramedic+a mental health expert to 911 calls instead of police launched amid calls for alternatives to policing. So far, the van has taken more than 350 calls without once having to call in police backup: https://www.denverpost.com/2020/09/06/denver-star-program-mental-health-police/
The STAR program is part of a growing continuum in Denver of who 911 can dispatch to calls: STAR, co-responder unit that pairs police with mental health professional, or a traditional police response. https://www.denverpost.com/2020/09/06/denver-star-program-mental-health-police/
. @sam_tabachnik looked into data about calls to Denver police. So far this year, about 14% of calls have been about violent crime. As discussions continue about defunding police, it's important to know how officers spend their days: https://www.denverpost.com/2020/09/06/denver-police-officer-time-job-funding-data/