Social workers may be riding along on calls with police officers in Waukegan and three other Illinois cities within the next six months as part of a pilot program created by the Illinois General Assembly last week.
Putting mental health professionals in police cars is one part of a larger piece of legislation awaiting Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature which will create a statewide task force to make recommendations to the legislature on how to reduce crime by March of next year.
The state House of Representatives approved the Crime Reduction Task Force Act Friday, one day after the state Senate ratified it in Springfield creating a task force to recommend further action by the legislature to implement ways to lessen crime in Illinois.
Among the provisions of the legislation is a pilot program to be created within six months by the police departments in Waukegan, Peoria, Springfield and East St. Louis, which will make mental health professionals part of first-responder units.
“The co-responder pilot program takes a holistic approach and looks to lean on not only law enforcement for the best approach, but seeks community and expert input as well,” said state Sen. Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove, a co-sponsor of the bill.
Johnson said the task force must be created within 60 days. It also includes ways to create a statewide anonymous tip line, and a witness protection plan for people who provide information to police.
“Ensuring safety and security for all of Illinois’ residents is undoubtedly the highest obligation of government,” Johnson said. “I’ve advocated for Waukegan and other municipalities in my district to receive funding to address the uptick in violence, and to support violence-prevention programs.”
When a social worker arrives in a crisis situation with a police officer, Johnson said they can add a different dimension to the situation. The collaboration will enhance safety for the community.
“The victim service specialists or social workers will provide trauma-informed crisis intervention, case management, advocacy and ongoing emotional support to the victims of all crimes, with extra attention to crimes that cause a high level of victim trauma,” Johnson said.
Keith Zupec, Waukegan’s interim police chief, sees multiple benefits in the pilot program. He said it is something members of the department have discussed for the last few months. Now there will be help from the state to implement the plan.
“It’s a benefit to us, because we have the ability to provide services outside of our level of performance,” Zupec said. “We may need to act as social workers at times, which we truly are not.”
Not only will the social workers ride with the officers to assist during police calls, but the law also provides they are to conduct follow-up visits for victims who may benefit from mental or behavioral health services. The primary focus is victim assistance.
Zupec said when mental health professionals accompany officers on a call, it may not even be a situation where there is a crime victim. Police get calls when one person in a home is concerned a loved one is in stress. They could be threatening suicide.
“Social workers will be able to help people in crisis,” he said. “They could be acting out and need the care a social worker can give. We get calls about suicide. They have the ability to listen and deal with that person. They have a place in law enforcement.”
While Waukegan and the other three cities are getting an immediate benefit from the bill, Johnson said the task force will provide the legislature ideas to further reduce crime by making it easier for people who are aware of wrongs to report them.
Johnson said the task force will have the opportunity to work with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and state’s attorneys to learn what makes successful witness protection programs. Hopefully victims will be more likely to talk to police if there is protection for them and their family, she said.
As members of the task force are selected, Johnson said it is important it be broad based so the equity needs of all communities are addressed.
