City Council members and city staff on April 24 recognized the one-year anniversary of Los Angeles's Unarmed Model of Crisis Response (UMCR), citing early data the city said shows reduced escalation, program savings and community acceptance.

Councilmember Bob Blumenfield and co-chair Eunice Hernandez presided over a presentation and thanked provider partners for operating the unarmed response teams that respond to mental-health and nonviolent crisis calls. Hernandez told the council the teams had "responded to over 6,000 calls in their 1 year" and that "4% have needed to call for LAPD backup." Vanessa Willis of the City Administrative Officer's office introduced crisis responders from partner organizations who described the program's work on the street.

The anniversary presentation emphasized why the city adopted the model: UMCR sends teams trained in crisis intervention and social services rather than armed officers to many low-risk calls. Hernandez said the "average on scene response cost is $35." Ashley Yusufu of the Alcott Center, one of the provider organizations, told the council the program had routed the vast majority of its responses without law-enforcement involvement: "96% result without law enforcement," she said, and described the program as "a prudent investment" compared with police budgets.

Council members across the horseshoe praised the model. Blumenfield said the program's creation required "funding nonprofit partners and city staff" and credited years of advocacy inside and outside City Hall. Council President Marquee Harris-Dawson, Councilmember Raman and others highlighted the program's role in reducing trauma and providing alternatives to armed responses.

Provider staff gave on-the-ground examples. Kiara Long, a crisis intervention specialist with Exodus Recovery, described responding to more than 200 night-shift calls and said teams often encounter people reluctant to accept help but finish calls with expressions of gratitude. Azad Abed-Steven of Penny Lane Centers recounted mediating an episode involving a combat veteran living on the sidewalk, saying their presence helped neighbors shift from confrontation to empathy.

Speakers also described housing and service outcomes. Alcott's remarks said UMCR engagement has helped connect people experiencing homelessness to shelter and case management. The CAO presenters and providers asked the council to continue supporting the program while the city evaluates expansion and long-term funding.

The recognition concluded with certificate presentations to partner organizations and a call from council members to institutionalize the unarmed response model across more of the city.

Why it matters: Council members framed UMCR as part of a multi-pronged public-safety strategy that seeks to match responder type to need, reduce use-of-force risk, and lower city costs while improving outcomes for people in crisis. Program figures presented at the meeting give the council a base to consider expansion and longer-term budgeting.