New Jersey lawmakers have passed legislation to fund community crisis teams in several cities around the state — providing an alternative to police-led response when someone suffering a mental health episode calls for help.
The bill, known as the “Seabrooks-Washington Community-Led Crisis Response Act,” passed the state Senate by a vote of 21-14 on Monday, the last day of the legislative session, and had previously passed the Assembly. It was then headed to Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk for his signature.
“It’s a big deal. [Community-led crisis response groups] would be responding as an alternative to police response for nonviolent substance use and behavioral health calls,” said Racquel Romans-Henry, policy director for the Salvation and Social Justice, a faith-based racial justice advocacy group that supported the bill. “So, big deal, big deal in terms of public safety and mental health responses in the state.”
If Murphy signs it, the legislation will allocate $12 million to yet-to-be-selected community-based organizations for a pilot program in six New Jersey counties. The groups selected will be tasked with developing a model for how the responders will operate.
Romans-Henry noted that the legislation also calls for the program to support existing crisis intervention programs happening in cities including Paterson and Trenton.
The act is named for two Black New Jerseyans killed by police during mental health episodes.
In March 2023, 31-year-old Najee Seabrooks barricaded himself inside his Paterson home and called 911. When police arrived, he locked himself in the bathroom and claimed to have knives and a gun, authorities have said. In video footage released by the state Attorney General’s Office, an officer is seen pleading with Seabrooks to come out with his hands up, and Seabrooks eventually runs out of the bathroom. The Attorney General’s Office has said Seabrooks “lunged toward the officers with a knife in his hand,” and then two officers…
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